Endometriosis

  PERIOD PAIN IS NOT NORMAL. If you are experiencing pain beyond discomfort with your menstrual cycle we urge you to dive deeper into your health to find the cause. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women and has the average diagnosis time of 7 years. The earlier the diagnosis the better! Start with the articles to the right, then check out the articles, stories of  endo, and free resources below.


   ARTICLES ON ENDOMETRIOSIS

Detox Your Period for Pain Relief

For many women, periods come with a host of discomforts: cramping, headaches, fear of leaks, back pain, and maybe even leg pain. As someone who was diagnosed with endometriosis, a painful pelvic pain condition, in my teens, I have experienced countless painful periods and have been on the search for relief. 

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Just Diagnosed with (or Suspects) Endometriosis?

So, you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis (Or you suspect that you have it.) Now what? It can be so difficult to know where to go from here. We’re here to tell you: you’re not alone. There’s hope. You can (and will) live a happy, full life in spite of your illness. You are more than your pain.

Does a Hysterectomy Cure Endometriosis?

For me, having a hysterectomy is a very involved decision. It is not so simple just to take the uterus because I am unable to have a child after all of endometriosis’s damage.

When Period Pain ISN’T Normal

There is no doubt that as women, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. But what isn’t so amazing is the pain that can occur when our good friend Aunt Flo shows up in the form of our monthly period. Ladies of all ages, please take note that not all period pain is normal. I hope to provide a guide on when you urgently need to see your gynecologist, and also where you have the power to improve your cycle pain naturally, using diet and supplements.

Endometriosis: Melissa’s Story

Melissa MeyerThe EndoAngel, Melissa shares her story… “I guess you could say that my story begins like many other Endo Stories begin: with a nasty diagnosis while starring blankly at your doctor…. I know for me, it took days for the information to actually settle. To finally know what was causing my pain but also to confront those dreaded words of “there is no cure”, “your fertility can be affected” and “there are limited choices on what we can do”. It felt like everything in my life had suddenly come to a grinding halt. I was only 19 and here I was, having to make decisions about my future children and what I could do to prevent this disease from spreading. I was only presented with two choices: operations and hormonal treatments. I didn’t particularly like the sound of either one and so, my doctor worked out a system where I could go on the lowest possible hormone treatment and just have an operation every year and a half to “clean me out”. I really believed for many, many years that I was on a good path. I had entrusted my body to a specialist and he had heaps of experience with women and Endometriosis. Surely, he must know what was best for me? read more…

Endo And Me

It is hard to say when my story began.  From the age of 16, I started having ‘problem’ periods.  My GP put it all down to my age.  I was put on the Pill and sent away.  People told me that my periods would become lighter, regular and much easier on the Pill.  Really?  Not mine.

Julie KoretzOver the years, I’d go back to my various GPs, as pain, heavy and irregular periods would rear their ugly heads.

At the age of 22 I was told that if I ever wanted children, I’d need help.

In 2003, at 37, things got much worse.  I suddenly became very ill.  My periods would last much longer than normal, sometimes one would just merge into the next.  I was having a constant battle with anemia.  As fast I was receiving iron from the tablets, it would just drain away again.  The pain was becoming unbearable and outside of my cycle (but then again what was my cycle?)  Even with the Pill my periods were all over the place.  It was like my body had lost control of itself. I remember watching others around me, getting on with their lives, having a period each month didn’t seem to stop them in their tracks, they didn’t need to take time off sick, so why did I?  Perhaps I was just a bit pathetic and couldn’t cope like others?

read more…

Endometriosis: Sarah’s Story

Sarah

Some days my pain is so excruciating that it takes every little last bit of willpower I have to drag myself out of my bed and face the world. Those days used to be a few out of every month, now those days are every day.  I know the cause of my pain.  I know what the solution is.  I know when that solution is coming and it is only a few weeks away, but time seems to somehow dilate and those few weeks seem as far away as the stars and planets that I stare at on those few cloudless nights we have in the grim north!

So here is my story.  Long and tedious it may be, but it is my story nonetheless and it is time that I put it all down in one place.

I have just turned 40.  I feel it.  In fact, add another 20 years on…that’s how I think I feel. This state of mind is not normal for me but it has been the status quo for over 2 years.

read more…

    TOP RESOURCES

ENDOMETRIOSIS QUIZ

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women in the US and has an average diagnosis time of 7 years. How much do you know about the disorder?

HEALTHY PRODUCTS & LIFESTYLE SERIES

This weekly email series is designed to teach you everything you need to know about choosing healthier alternatives that reduce your risk of TSS.

ORGANIC PERIOD 2GO KITS

These fashionable period kits stuffed with organic tampons or natural pads were designed to keep ladies of all ages prepared with the healthiest options for their period while on the go!

REUSABLE MENSTRUAL CUPS

The revolutionary product improving women’s periods. The long list of benefits include: 12 hour protection, holds more than a super tampon, safer, better for the environment and the cost $avings!!

SHARE YOUR ENDO STORY

Join our featured EndoSisters by sharing your endo journey with with us. Let’s continue raising awareness together!

Detox Your Period for Pain Relief

By Arielle D. Dance, PhD Can Tampons Cause Cramps? Detox Your Period for Pain Relief For many women, periods come with a host of discomforts: cramping, headaches, fear of leaks, back pain, and maybe even leg pain. As someone who was diagnosed with endometriosis, a...

What Advice Would You Give to Someone Just Diagnosed with (or Suspects) Endometriosis?

So, you’ve been diagnosed with endometriosis (Or you suspect that you have it.) Now what? It can be so difficult to know where to go from here. We’re here to tell you: you’re not alone. There’s hope. You can (and will) live a happy, full life in spite of your illness....

Misunderstood and Unsupported with Endometriosis

Last week, we talked about all of the ways that our network of endo warriors have felt supported or loved during their battle with the disorder. Today, we’re tackling the opposite question: what are some ways that you’ve felt misunderstood or unsupported? Often times,...

Endometriosis Support: What Are Some of the Ways That You’ve Felt Supported by Friends & Family?

Endometriosis is a difficult disorder to have to deal with – physically and emotionally. If you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with endo – they need you now more than ever. But even if you’re looking for ways to support them, sometimes it can be hard to know...

Does a Hysterectomy Cure Endometriosis?

by Dr. Sallie Sarrel   I’m 43 and I don’t want a hysterectomy. There has been much controversy over the claim in the media that a hysterectomy cures endometriosis. Hysterectomy, while it has a role in treatment of pelvic pain and uterine disorders, does not cure...

What Do You Wish Your Friends and Family Knew About Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a difficult disorder to have to deal with – physically and emotionally. If you have a loved one that has been diagnosed with endo – they need you now more than ever. But even if you’re looking for ways to support them, sometimes it can be hard to know...

How to be Your Own Health Advocate When You Suspect Endometriosis

by Heather Guidone Many facets of endometriosis continue to be hotly debated, and much is still unknown about the condition. As a result, access to quality care can prove difficult and the disease can be isolating, making it hard for affected individuals to advocate...

Why is Endometriosis So Difficult to Diagnose?

By Dr Pandelis AthanasiasEndometriosis is a painful disease which affects around 1 in 10 women, but reports have shown that it can take up to ten years to diagnose. Women with endometriosis typically experience very painful, heavy periods, pain during intimacy,...

When Period Pain ISN’T Normal

By Amy MorrisThere is no doubt that as women, our bodies are nothing short of amazing. But what isn’t so amazing is the pain that can occur when our good friend Aunt Flo shows up in the form of our monthly period. Ladies of all ages, please take note that not all...

Monthly Mission: Endometriosis Awareness

Your Period Shouldn’t Be PainfulMarch is Endometriosis Awareness Month. “Endo” is a painful disease that affects at least 176 million people worldwide. The Be Prepared Period team sends love and support to our many Endo sisters (and brothers!) experiencing the...