Day Twenty Nine:
I'm involved with Endometriosis Awareness Month because...
At the very least, we need understanding
Endometriosis isn't taken very seriously by many. I asked my surgeon why that is, and she explained that it's because there is very little known about the disease.
Did you know...
The prevalence of endometriosis in women with infertility is as high as 30–50%1
Some women have extensive endometriosis and experience very little pain. The disease may be discovered when said woman isn't able to conceive and is looking for answers. Some women have very little endometriosis and they're in incredible pain. It's a very odd disease.
Did you know...
On average it takes 7.5 years from onset of symptoms to get a diagnosis 1
Nobody knows what causes endometriosis. There are theories and guesses as to how the disease comes about, but no one knows for sure. I personally think that endometriosis is an autoimmune disease, and lately, research has been pointing in that direction too. If it is indeed an autoimmune problem, it means the body is attacking itself, almost like a cancer.
Did you know...
Annual healthcare costs of endometriosis are estimated to be $70-110 billion in the U.S. alone 2
Indeed, endometriosis is similar to cancer in many ways. Luckily, endometriosis is very rarely fatal. Unfortunately, women with endometriosis have a significantly increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.
So I am involved in Endometriosis Awareness Month so we can get the word out there. I want doctors to know, so we can be treated properly. I don't want other women to be faced with why don't you just get pregnant now? or organ removal as possible treatments. Um, hello, do you see a ring on my finger? That's why I'm not having babies now. And, uh, organ removal?!?!?!? HELLO!?
It's time to end the silence. Let's all get over ourselves and make it ok to talk about female reproductive problems.
#EndoThePain
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