Once Upon a Time...

By Venus

Stories have a beginning, middle, and end. At 22 years old, I know I am still at the beginning of my endo story.

Last year I found myself lying on my bathroom floor: sweating, shaking, dry-heaving, feeling light-headed, all because of the excruciating pain my uterus was putting me through. Between simple yoga poses and hyperventilating, I texted my sister "I think I have endo".

Immediately I started researching endo with a new perspective. I started taking contraceptives but after a while it seemed like I was spotting 3 out of 4 weeks in a cycle. In October, when I explained the issue to my doctor, she told me to get an ultrasound to check if there are any other causes of the abnormal bleeding. Although they couldn't see endo in the scan, they did find out that I have polycystic ovaries. With no other immediate problems, I could now get an IUD.

My story ends here, six months later and my pain is back. Even though I know endo takes a very long time to be diagnosed, I am trying to take my time to adjust to and try different treatments before I end up having surgery. I know that day is ahead of me but for now, I am content to just weigh the risks and benefits and make sure I understand my body's needs.

I have spent hours comparing my endo journey to others and even though there were signs when I was a teenager I actively ignored them because I knew that other people have it worse.

To anyone reading this: you don't need an "official" diagnosis to start treating your endo; and don't compare your pain to others - endo can exist with no symptoms at all!