Do you remember that sweet blissful time before you started your period? I remember being in fifth grade and having the “talk” when they split the boys and girls up and told us dead eggs would come out of us once a month. I remember feeling terrified but excited to finally become a “woman.” I never knew that feeling of terror surrounding my cycle would never end.
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It was my junior year of high school when my body started being weird. I stopped having my period regularly, and instead had cramps and extreme fatigue all the time. It took so much energy to do the smallest tasks. I knew something was wrong but thought it was normal. I lived in tremendous pain for about three years before I decided that enough was enough. In February, I finally visited my OBGYN and got the help I needed.
Don’t Ignore the Signs
Most women can agree that period cramps are probably one of the worst things to experience. Most of us have skipped classes, popped an Ibuprofen and listened to our sad playlists during our cycles, but did you know that extreme cramps are a tell-tale sign of endometriosis? Yes, cramps are normal, but if you can’t get out of bed in the morning, and it’s stopping you from performing daily activities, then maybe it’s time to visit your gynecologist. Other symptoms of endometriosis include heavy flow, pain during sex, painful periods, pain with urination, and fatigue.
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Research and Connect With Others
For some strange reason, menstruation is still a very taboo topic, and it always makes me wonder if we’re actually progressing. There’s hope for everyone that is struggling with endometriosis. It’s hard dealing with chronic pain almost every month, and it’s even harder to talk about. It is important to research endometriosis because most women don’t even know it exists; they merely suffer in silence. There are great websites and organizations that provide information and tips such as Speak Endo and Endometriosis Support.
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Moral support alleviates you’re suffering from chronic pain and depression. My doctor prescribed me Nexplanon to help take away the severe pain that accompanies my periods, and it’s helped a lot. Your doctor might suggest surgery or another form of contraception to help you. The important thing that I had to learn was that I wasn’t alone. Never forget that you shouldn’t suffer from by yourself, or at all, so make sure you have a great support system in your time of need.