Thread by @JacquelynGill

I’m taking advantage of a pain-free moment during my period to say: March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis (and its cousin, adenomyosis) are common, affecting >10% of women aged 15 to 44.

Endometriosis is a condition where the lining of the uterus grows somewhere outside the uterus (adenomyosis involves endometrial tissue invading the uterine wall). It behaves just like regular endometrial tissue—it builds up and is shed, causing swelling and scarring.

Symptoms of endo/adeno include extremely painful and/or heavy periods, pain outside the period (including during intercourse or bowel movements), infertility, nausea, constipation, abdominal heaviness and bloating.

It takes an average of 8 years to get diagnosed with endometriosis. Like many issues primarily affecting women (though it can affect anyone with a uterus, including trans men), endo/adeno is poorly understood and the symptoms (especially pain) are often dismissed by doctors.

For me, periods involve several days of excruciating pain (even on opiates). I lose the equivalent of three blood transfusions, and I have to get iron infusions monthly. I can’t keep food or liquids down. I miss work, I don’t sleep.

There is no cure for endometriosis or adenomyosis (which often co-occur, as in my case). They can be managed with hormonal birth control, and surgery to remove tissue usually provides limited relief. Hysterectomy or menopause usually bring an end to symptoms.

Endo/adeno are progressive disorders; they get worse through time. The next step in my journey is a hysterectomy (I really hate that word— “removal of hysteria”). After that, my symptoms should clear up, though it means giving birth is no longer in my future.

If you’d like to learn more, check out @abbymnorman’s Ask Me About My Uterus and @mayadusenbery’s Doing Harm. And if your doctor isn’t taking your pain seriously, get a new doctor. Hang in there. You’re not alone.

#EndometriosisAwarenessMonth

Here’s another helpful article (thanks, @RissaChem): cen.acs.org/pharmaceutical…

I’m trying solid food for the first time in a couple of days, and Neko is ON IT. I’d like to pretend she’s being solicitous of my health, but she really just loves “Cheezies.”

(Yes, I am shamelessly sharing a photo of my adorable dog in service of #EndometriosisAwarenessMonth).

I’ll be glad when I can put this behind me, honestly. I’m mentally ready for this hysterectomy. I just want this to be over. I want my life back. I’m tired of losing time for at work, having to cancel trips or events, being behind on everything.

With all the stigma around periods, and the fact that we don’t take women’s pain seriously, it’s hard to explain to colleagues, friends, or family what’s going on. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I’m afraid of not being taken seriously.