Oh I forgot….

So, what is endometriosis?

It is when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus and can literally grow everywhere else – on other organs, etc. That is a very basic explanation, but when I first got diagnosed, I had a giant cyst on my ovary that burst and sent me to the emergency room and that was the start of this whole new learning process for me  and learning that endometriosis can grow anywhere in the body like a cancer (although it is benign) and forms scar tissue wherever it goes. Some people even get it in their lungs. There were some cases where even after full hysterectomy, the endometriosis grew back.

I also learned that it is a very common condition, that 10% of women in Australia have it (knowingly or unknowingly) and that we know nothing about why it even does the things it does.

There are some floating theories around but it’s a whole new world of study  and science while many women suffer in silence over some of the most painful and brutal symptoms anyone could endure.

If it was visible, like, a bruise or a break out in hives, it would be more respected, understood and therefore easier to pigeonhole. But it’s deep within our bodies, invisible, and pervasive. Please keep this in mind when you see a lady having a particularly bad day or see your sister crying over nothing. It could be something or it could be anything or it could be nothing. You just never know.

Be compassionate and talk to one another. This runs in my family on both sides, something I learned far too late in my reproductive life but can still do something about. You can too.

I hope this blog helps you to understand, whether or not you’re going through the same thing or whether or not you’re trying to understand the condition for someone you want to support. We can all support each other through listening, talking, having empathy and truly making an attempt to understand.

Take good care of yourselves and each other.