Before I started my blog, I had envisioned from the get-go that I would eventually like to offer this platform for others to write and share topics that are relevant to my readers. In honour of Endometriosis Awareness Month, I reached out to my dear friend Jasmine who is passionate about spreading awareness of the disease since she was diagnosed not that long ago. Here’s her story:
March is Endometriosis Awareness month and since my Stage 4 diagnosis in 2018 I have made it my goal to raise awareness for this common yet unknown condition. This disease affects 10 percent of women, or individuals assigned female at birth. It is one of the most common seen gynecological diseases, yet is poorly understood, researched, or talked about. It’s so poorly understood that it is frequently misdiagnosed. Approximately 68% of patients are misdiagnosed before they get the correct diagnosis. I went 15 years before I got the correct diagnosis. Along the way, I was diagnosed with an overactive bladder, vertigo, migraines, ‘bad cramps’, food sensitivities, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). These are all symptoms under the umbrella of Endometriosis, and because my Endo had been left unchecked for so long, I can now add infertility to my list of symptoms. My husband and I have been trying for 4 and a half years, it wasn’t until I brought this to my doctor that they considered that it could be Endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a chronic illness where the tissue that would typically grow inside your uterus and be shed each month also grows on the outside. The most common places that endometriosis occurs is the uterus, ovaries, and/or Fallopian tubes – in my case, it also occurs on my bladder and bowels. In rare cases, it can also be found outside the pelvis, such as on lungs, skins, brain, or diaphragm. The hormonal changes of your menstrual cycle affect the misplaced endometrial tissue, causing the area to be inflamed and painful.
When I was a teenager, I used to get bad cramps and heavy bleeding. It got so bad that I would sometimes miss school and bleed through my pants. I thought this was normal. It’s gotten progressively worse with time and my cramps got debilitating. There would be at least a day or two a month where I am in tears, can’t stand straight, or get off the couch. There were times where I would throw up from the pain or just lay on the floor and cry. I used to be a morning person, now because of the fatigue, I struggle to get out of bed most days.
Endometriosis diagnoses are like fingerprints – unique to each individual that has it. You can have Stage 1 Endo and be hospitalized due to symptoms or have Stage 4 and not even know it. It can only be diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery. There is no cure, only management. I manage my Endo with diet and medication, and I hope to be adding exercise to my routine soon.
I am using this platform to help raise awareness for this common affliction. Talking about menstruation is often considered taboo. If it was more commonly talked about, I would have realized that my symptoms were not typical. Bad cramps are not normal, being couch ridden is not normal, and missing work or school due to your period is not normal. I hope that this helps someone I know or someone who might be reading this to realize that maybe what they are experiencing may not be normal and to seek help.
If you suspect that you might have Endometriosis, please educate yourself. The internet has a plethora of information and supports. My hope is that early intervention and early education will lead to early detection and treatment by empowering young women and individuals to seek answers and treatment for their pain/symptoms. As a teacher who teaches their students about puberty, I try my best to teach my students that pain should not be dismissed as a normal occurrence during menstruation.
An incredible resource that I have found is The Endometriosis Network Canada. This website has resources and links for support groups or doctors that specialize in Endometriosis. I’ve found a lot of comfort following others on social media who are also affected. There is an incredible community of people I follow on Instagram (#endometriosis). Reading their stories, challenges and triumphs has helped on days where I needed it most. These people are helping revolutionize awareness for this condition and will not stop until there is a cure. That’s the dream.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this,
XOXO Jasmine 
Do you have a topic related to pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, babies, postpartum, parenting, or similar that you would like to write about and share with others? I welcome you to contact me to write a guest blog! I’d love to discuss how we can enrich our greater community together 😊
