Living with endometriosis within a society that primarily prioritizes high levels of production accompanied by an overall disregard for chronic pain, is a difficult journey for many. A recent meta-analysis of studies of people with endometriosis found that more than two-thirds (68 percent) of individuals had mild or psychological stress.

When I accepted that I’d likely be living with chronic pain for the rest of my life, I began to see how unsustainable my life had been for so long. Yes, I was able to do it all – but that doesn’t mean that I should have had to. I didn’t want to keep living this kind of life – and my body wouldn’t let me. I had to make some changes

Endometriosis is a condition that is often misunderstood and underestimated yet, ironically, affects millions of people with uteruses worldwide. Classically, it has been defined as the presence of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus, this condition is more than just a gynecological concern. It is a chronic systemic inflammatory condition that can be found in almost every major organ of the body. These lesions cause internal inflammation, resulting in pain, cramping and a myriad of other symptoms that can be physically, mentally and socially debilitating.

You may have heard of endometriosis, the inflammatory condition where endometrial-like tissue grows outside of the uterus, forming often painful lesions on other organs in the body. But have you heard of adenomyosis? 

Endometriosis can come with fertility challenges that make getting pregnant more difficult for some people, but conceiving is certainly possible. So, what happens once a pregnancy is achieved? Do pregnant people with endometriosis have more difficult pregnancies, or does it cause other health challenges? Are all pregnancies in people with endometriosis considered high-risk?

Many of us (myself included) have been raised to accept that our periods will hurt. Ironically, this idea causes more harm! This misconception led to me missing school because of menstrual pain, all while assuming there was nothing I could do to feel better. I thought my period pain was normal, felt hopeless, and didn’t seek out help. I wish I had known then what I know now. 

When I think about my journey with endometriosis over the last twenty years, I think of it as a beast that’s lived inside of me trying to take over mind, body and soul. Having tried the gamut of treatment options from dietary changes and physical therapy to hormones, medically induced menopause, and multiple surgeries, the beast continues to have a stronghold over me.