March is Endometriosis Awareness Month
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.
What is Endometriosis?
It has to do with the lining of the uterus. The uterus and other reproductive organs grow sores on the outside and when the scar tissue and sores keep building up it can be very painful and cause problems with the entire abdomen including the bladder and bowels.
Endometriosis can cause severe pain, especially during the menstrual cycle. It is much worse than a normal menstrual cycle and can be very harmful to the reproductive organs.
I have Endometriosis. I found out when I was 25. Up until that point, I thought having excruciating painful cramps was just part of being a woman and having a period. It's not. I had surgery to remove an ovary and things have been better since. A couple of years ago, I had to switch treatments because a treatment I had been using for five years was causing me to lose bone density.
After talking with my doctor and getting a second consult, we decided on a new treatment. I still have good and bad days, but overall my quality of life is much better now.
But it took a long time to get here. I've had cysts, surgery, shots, trial and error with different medicines, and in the beginning, I was a bit of a mystery. I didn't have a diagnosis for a long time. It really is a never-ending battle, but hopefully, with research and awareness, we will eventually win the war.
TASHA ON TV: That Time I Was On TV To Talk About My Story ‘Living With Endometriosis’
While it is not fatal, there is no cure. Women diagnosed with Endometriosis will have to deal with and treat it their whole lives.
It can be very painful, in some cases women suffer from chronic pain. It can cause infertility and can be very expensive to treat.
I'm not a doctor, however, so I found this enlightening informational video to explain the disease, its diagnosis, and treatments.
Endometriosis from Endometriosis.org on Vimeo.
Padma Lakshmi has been very vocal in spreading awareness and raising money for research. Padma is the co-founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America. You can find out more about endometriosis and ways to help by going to the foundation's website endofound.org
Diagnosing Endometriosis can be hard because it shares symptoms with a lot of other ailments. Also, there isn't a blood test or a simple swab that can diagnose Endometriosis. There is no non-invasive way of knowing for sure. But once you know you have it, there can be some relief.
To all my #EndoWarriors out there, stay strong. And if any of this was familiar to you, talk to your doctor.
The aforementioned Padma Lakshi, as well as Halsey, Lena Dunham, Julianne Hough, and Tara Lapinski are just a few of the famous faces that have been open with their stories about having and living with Endometriosis.
MORE:
- Halsey on Living with Endometriosis: ‘I’m Not Going to Let You Make Me Ashamed’
- Lena Dunham Reveals She Underwent Hysterectomy Amid Battle With Endometriosis
- Julianne Hough Says Endometriosis Makes Having Sex ‘Frustrating’
Halsey opens up on Twitter periodically about her struggles.
Lena Dunham has also been very open about her struggle. She underwent a hysterectomy due to endometriosis.
Tara Lipinski shared photos after excision surgery.
Julianne Hough was very candid when speaking to Women's Health about her struggles. Read her story, here.
If you feel so inclined, wear yellow sometime this month to spread awareness and show support for all the women living with Endometriosis.
READ MORE: In March We Wear Yellow
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