My period used to be incredibly painful. The best way for me to describe how they felt was like being ripped apart by Freddy Krueger from the inside. I didn’t know anyone who had as much pain as I did with my menstrual cycle.
I did the usual things like taking lots of over the counter painkillers and hot packs. These would only take the edge off the intense pain I was experiencing. I knew of no other tools to try.
When I finally spoke with my doctor, she had the usual recommendations. We spent about nine months trying different pharmaceutical treatments such as antidepressants and oral birth control pills. The oral birth control pills help to reduce my pain from 10 out of 10 pain to 7 out of 10 pain. This was considered the best possible outcome. READ MORE… »
March 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 disease.
This month on the blog, we’re diving into the personal journeys of those that have received an Endometriosis Diagnoses. Dr. Allegra Hart, a naturopathic physician, will also be sharing her Endo story and what it took to receive a diagnosis. For many, this process can take years, and the first step to any diagnosis is awareness.READ MORE… »
It is a hormonal and immune disease affecting girls as young as eight and women of all ages. The name comes from the word, endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus and builds up and sheds each month in the menstrual cycle. In “endo” tissue like the endometrium is found outside the uterus in other areas of the body, most commonly in the abdomen.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms include pain with periods; pain with intercourse, urination, or with a bowel movement; and infertility.
Period Pain is Not Normal!
That’s right! It is not normal to be in pain during your period. If pain during a menstrual period cannot be relieved by over-the-counter pain medication and a heating pad, then endometriosis should be suspected. It is important to be diagnosed as soon as possible, as earlier diagnosis and treatment may reduce the progression and severity of the disease.
Hi! I’m from the Dominican Republic and this is the story that I share with this horrible disease.
Ever since I was 15 yrs old and it was time to get my period, it was a time of suffering. It hurt a lot, I used to cry a lot and spend two days in bed because I couldn’t handle the pain. I started visiting the gynecologist and she used to tell me that it wasn’t normal to have that kind of pain every month.
Years passed and the pain grew higher, I couldn’t evacuate because of the pain I had, I couldn’t walk more than 3 hours without pain. I first thought that my problem belonged to a gastroenterologist ’cause I thought the problems where with the evacuations even if I didn’t have my period.
So when I was 18 (notice that I spent all those years from doctor to doctor with a lot of pain) I went visit the gastro and he indicated some lab test and abdominal and pelvic US. There it was, I had an ovarian cyst “probable endometriosis”, I had to visit my doctor again. She indicated an exploratory laparoscopy which I didn’t do because my father didn’t want to.
“There I was, at 2 am, awakened again by a cold sweat, a sharp pain in my right side and the overwhelming nausea that caused me to keep my jaw clamped shut in the hopes of avoiding an episode of vomiting. I pushed back the covers, slid my feet to the edge and sank to the floor. Quick, what are my options? Crawl to the bathroom in the hopes of retrieving my hot water bottle and lying on the cold tile floor knowing that whatever happens at least I won’t make a mess, or quietly open my bedside table drawer for my collection of pain killers and aromatic essential oils to keep me from passing out? Will I wake anyone? Will either of the options help? Is the pain escalating? Is this “episode” going to make the ER necessary? No, not the ER–what is the point of losing consciousness on the toilet in the ER bathroom, in a puddle of my own sweat, and then being accused of drug seeking? I slump over, right there on the floor beside my bed and wait for the current wave of contractions to pass. Breathe. I can get through this. I’m a rock star.”
How often at work or at school do we look at someone and wonder how they’ve spent their night? If we do, how often do we think, “Hmm, they must have been in excruciating pain.” While some with endometriosis are without symptoms, the majority have spent many days and nights in some semblance of the above state. It might surprise the average person to know what so many intelligent, witty, creative, vibrant, hard-working people are reduced to when no one is looking. It becomes so important to appear “normal” to someone suffering so constantly in this way. This desire to keep up appearances is, in itself, isolating and exhausting. READ MORE… »
My story is one of endo and education, two major conflicting parts of my life.
My periods started at the age of 13 and it soon became obvious that mine were different to everyone else’s. My school days were spent running to the bathroom to change pads, running to my locker to take painkillers and running to the school nurse for heat pads. I started going to the doctor about my heavy, painful periods at 14 and was told it was all normal. To help regulate the bleeding, I was put on the pill. The first one didn’t work for me at all as I became clinically depressed with all the hormones. Thankfully, the doctor realized quickly and changed the pill. The pain remained but at least I got through the rest of my school days with some control over when I would have my 10 day long period (scheduled to not appear during important exams). The doctor maintained that the pain was normal and I learnt to try to hide it from my friends since they all thought I was making it up for attention.
When I turned 18, I asked to be referred to gynecology. During my first year at university I had my first laparoscopy. It showed I had endometriosis on my left ovary. The surgeon lasered it off and inserted the Mirena coil. For the next year or so, I was both period and pain free for the first time. It was amazing! I loved life, had a cool, gorgeous boyfriend, had more of a social life than ever, worked two jobs and came top of my year in uni. READ MORE… »
Endometriosis…such a big word that can be very confusing. If you were to search the word, there would be information about painful periods, possible infertility and treatment options of surgery and birth control. You may find pictures of damaged reproductive organs from years of scarring or women doubled over in pain. If you were to ask me to simply explain this big word, endometriosis, I’d tell you that it is a disease of women’s reproductive organs that causes intense pain especially during their periods. Endometriosis can keep some women from doing daily activities like going to school or work and even from having children.
A woman with endometriosis may feel pain even when it is not time for her period. The pain may be cramping, sharp, dull, achy or stabbing. Some women feel pain on one side of their belly or in many places. Endometriosis may also cause pain in the legs and back along with headaches, pain with bowel movements or urination. Bloating, constipation and diarrhea are also possible. All of these symptoms can seem unbearable and can cause extreme exhaustion.
In life we, as women, take many journeys: the journey through education, career decisions, through relationships and family transitions. Throughout all these journeys there has been someone (or more than one person) who has supported us, encouraged us and held our hand through the process. Some of these journeys presented obstacles and hurdles we did not expect and made us grateful for people within our support systems.
For millions of women living with endometriosis, the incurable and painful disease that occurs when tissue from the uterus is found in other places of the body, a new journey is required of them and their support system. This journey is unexpected for most and can cause a shift in many of their relationships, and friendships.
Instead of feeling sorry for myself I have made the choice to raise awareness and support for Endometriosis.
This is an overview of my story so far………..
In my early teens I always suffered with heavy and painful periods and in the early days I believed that this was normal. I don’t know what was worse the pain or the bleeding.
At 14years old my mum took me to see the GP where he prescribed me pain killers which worked for a while but after a few months they weren’t making a difference and the pain was worse. I was constantly going back to GP where he would prescribe me different pain relief and also put me on the pill at 15yrs old, however, no matter what was tried each month I would suffer severe pain in my abdomen, side and right arm. Each month I would be in tears especially the first 2 days as they were the worse.
I hope my story will be informational and helpful to all women who suffer from Endometriosis.
Since I first started my menstrual cycle at just 11yrs old, it was just awful. I had horribly heavy cycles and would get very sick and missed school because of it. My cycles were never on time and usually a week or more late. I lived with it because I was told that my heavy flow and everything was just heredity. Little did I know it was going to wind up being Endometriosis.
I was diagnosed at 22yrs old with Endometriosis which was a year after I had my daughter who is my second child. I went into pre term labor at 28 wks and it was the scariest point in my life, but fortunately the doctors stopped the labor and I was put on all kinds of things so I could carry her to full term. Apparently, I already had endometriosis at that time and never knew it because I was so used to the painful menstrual cycles and pain in general.
Then one day I was in constant horrible pain on my right side specifically. After going to my regular doctor and ruling out UTI and Bladder infection she recommended I see my OB. That’s where the diagnosis that would change my life began.
