I never thought that it would happen to me. It wasn’t a thing I thought about. Not even now that it has happened to me. It still isn’t a thing I think about.
Because maybe thinking means realizing that life as I’ve always imagined it. Always expected it, might never eventually happen…
What am I going on about? Getting diagnosed + Living with Endometriosis.
I remember the first time I saw the word “Endometriosis”. I was sitting in my Obstetrics and gynecology class back in med school and it was part of the topic for the day – Fibroids, Endometriosis and Adenomyosis.
Prior to that class, I had never heard of it. And honestly even after that class, I still hardly ever heard of it. I figured it was something I had to know for exam sake. Never as anything serious.
After all, the lecturer didn’t stress on it as much as Fibroids was emphasized on so I guessed it wasn’t all that common.
Related: My med school diary
However, Endometriosis affects an estimated number of 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
It may not be as common as Fibroid but it is definitely common and needs to be talked about just as much to increase awareness.
That’s why I’ve decided to share my experience being diagnosed with and living with endometriosis.
It’s been over a year now that the doctors walked over to my bed looking sober to break the news to me. I think I’m finally ready to open up about it and most importantly educate people on it.
I’ll try to simplify it as much as possible and leave out the crazy bits. It’s going to be a long read. Are you ready?
Although 1 in 10 women suffer from this painful and chronic condition, many women are still unaware of it. Here's to creating more awareness! Click To Tweet
Getting Diagnosed with Endometriosis.
Towards the end of my housemanship program (sometime in October of 2017), I suddenly started experiencing recurrent pain in my pelvic (lower tummy) region.
This was during the time I got posted to the neonatal unit and my period was super painful at that time (more than usual). I mentioned this to one of the SRs and she said “it’s just period, I’m also a woman like you so you must resume today” (even though it was a weekend)
I like to think that I have a high pain threshold and I’m the last person that would complain about being in pain especially in a work environment like where I worked. So I endured it for the most part but also decided to do a pelvic scan because why not?
I honestly wasn’t expecting to find anything. But lo and behold, the scan showed that I had an ovarian cyst.
Ovarian Cysts are common in women of reproductive age. However, if you have a cyst that keeps increasing in size or causing discomfort, it just might be this. Click To TweetI kept repeating the scan because ovarian cysts are common findings in women and usually don’t cause any harm but with each scan I did, the size of mine kept increasing in size till it got so big that even the radiologists were curious and advised me to go get it out asap.
I went in for surgery thinking I was just taking a cyst out (At this point, even my gynecologists didn’t know it was endometriosis) and woke up to a diagnosis of endometriosis. Wondafuu right?
Unfortunately, the diagnosis of endometriosis till date is still made very late due to both a lack of awareness and “normalization of symptoms”. The major complaint – severe pain during the menstrual period is usually looked at as “normal” by both women and healthcare providers.
Fortunately for me, the pain I experience isn’t as incapacitating as I know it can be and I count my blessings for this fact every day.
What is Endometriosis ?
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which the tissue lining inside the uterus (which is meant to be found inside the uterus only), is found outside the uterus in other places like on the ovary, rectum, bladder, bowel etc and sometimes the lungs too.
The lining of the uterus is called the endometrium and this tissue is called endometrial tissue.
The endometrial tissue found in other sites in patients with endometriosis is called endometrial deposits/ implants
The endometrium is what is shed monthly during the menstrual cycle.
In people with endometriosis who have endometrial tissue also located in other places too. Every month during their menstrual cycle, these mis-placed tissues also build up and break down, resulting in bleeding at that site, inflammation, swelling and scarring.
When the ovary is involved, blood can pool in the ovarian tissue, forming an ovarian cyst, called an endometrioma
Related: My Obstetrics and Gynaecology posting experience
Cause + Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, painful ovulation, pain during or after sexual intercourse, heavy bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and infertility
There is no known cause but there are several theories that have been postulated as possible causes.
There a couple of complications but the most important to note is infertility and the emotional, mental and physical stress that comes with it.
Living With Endometriosis.
Is my life any different? Yes and No.
Endometriosis is a pretty expensive condition – the surgeries are expensive as hell and the meds are meant to be taken consistently for long periods of time.
I’ve had one surgery which left me with 2 scars and shortly after that surgery, I found out that I still had another cyst and needed to go back in for another surgery (yet to have this partly because of the cost and also because of our shitty healthcare system here)
I’m happy I got diagnosed on time but it’s a lot to unpack. Knowing that going under the knife is something that might casually be a part of my life now, the health bills that I’ll have to deal with, the constant exhaustion, pain and of course the infertility part of endometriosis to consider.
Sometimes, I get emotional about it but I am fully convinced that God’s plans for me will always be plans of good and I’m just enjoying taking each day as it comes, trusting God’s faithfulness and living my best life regardless.
Ladies, Let's talk periods! On Dysmenorrhea And Endometriosis. Here's What To Know Click To Tweet
Diagnosis + Treatment Of Endometriosis.
Endometriosis is diagnosed definitively by a surgical procedure called laparoscopy. The symptoms and a scan might make one suspect it but to know for sure, doctors need to open up and take a sample of the tissue to test.
There’s also currently no cure for it but Endometriosis can be managed by
- Either putting a stop to menstruation (to prevent further bleeding, scarring, and adhesions from forming) with the use of hormonal drugs.
- Pain meds for pain
- Surgery to excise as much of the endometriotic deposits as possible, free adhesions (Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that often bind two organs together and result due to repeated inflammation + scarring) and also take out ovarian cysts that occur as a result of it. t
- The uterus and ovaries can also be removed in women who have completed their family or don’t want kids, as a way of managing the condition.
Moving Forward.
Currently awaiting another surgery hopefully by the end of this month and then I’ll see how it goes from there. I stopped worrying about things so much sometime ago so I’m not so freaked out about all of this.
I have an “if I perish, I perish” mentality these days. Probably not a good mindset but it works to keep me sane.
I majorly worry about funds (imagine being in your twenties and spending all the money you can save up to use to fund your business and travel to some exotic countries on health. A damn shame lmao) and the infertility thing but even that has reduced to a minimal and I know that everything will be alright.
I’ll end this by saying that if you or anyone you know experiences severe menstrual pain, please go see a doctor about it. We normalize pain so much and sometimes, it’s actually not normal.
For me, I never thought that the pain I was experiencing wasn’t normal or anything (I like to think that I have a high pain threshold) but I have a really heavy flow that makes it super stressful for me to leave home.
I mean, I wasn’t rolling on the floor or anything so I’m actually kind of glad I had that Ovarian cyst or I would never have been diagnosed.
I saw a patient once (a young school girl) who was vomiting and wailing because of her period. That’s definitely not normal. So please, if you feel there’s something off about the pain you experience during your period, go see a doctor.
Sharing my experience as a young woman newly diagnosed and currently living with a chronic condition called endometriosis. Click To TweetI’ve put off talking about this till I felt like I was ready. And even though I still have this fear of “being labeled”, I feel like I’m finally ready to share
Go girl! God’s got you!
http://www.wumituase.com
I’m happy I stumbled across this post. I have been diagnosed with endometriosis and was given wrong medications. The doctor didn’t make mention of it and gave me drugs for infection. I had to look up the word myself. It is very sad that such ailment exist and people know little or nothing about it. Thank you for the post
I appreciate the fact that you were bold enough to share this. Having experienced women with cases like this , I realized it’s quite a huge one (health wise and cost wise), but you’re quite a strong individual….
Thank you for sharing this and being a voice for so many women out there with that condition.
.
I wish I wouldn’t have to say you’d be fine , but you’d be just fine.
Stay blessed , Cassie. Love and Light ❤️❤️
I’ve been waiting for this post ever since you mentioned your surgery on the ‘gram. It’s hard enough having periods and then dealing with extra uterus problems. I’ve been experiencing some pain as well and have gone to the doctors yet fear has kept me from following up. I’m just afraid of what they might see and damn all that money I’ll have to spend but I’ll go.
Your surgery will go well and all that money will come back in due time. Keep throwing all your anxieties on God because he’s the only true source 0f comfort.
We’ll be praying for you.
Thanks for sharing this personal story with us.
WELL DONE FOR SHARING CASSIE!
I won’t lie, during the year and a half of trying to get pregnant, I wondered if endometriosis was a possibility, but visits to a fertility specialist said I was fine, so…
But yeah, we should do what we can to get ourselves checked out.
I pray for strength for you, all the strength you need… and everything else that’ll get you through this. I can’t wait to read your testimony.
Thank you for sharing this, I have been curious about endometriosis and this blog post explained a lot. Informative post!
Thank you for sharing and God’s got you, girl!
I’ll definitely watch out and talk to others about it.
I’ll keep you in prayers hun.
http://www.theblackwriter.co
This was a really insightful read, and your courage! Amazing.
I particularly love the part where you talked about normalizing pain, it’s so common and sometimes really annoying.
I know quite a number of people that experience really painful period, and I might just have to show them this post.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Everything will work out just fine, the funds, the strength, both emotionally and physically, everything will be okay by God’s grace. ❣
Can imagine the amount of courage it took to write this. Stay strong. Better days ahead
Thank you for shedding more light on this.
Thinking back now, I remember one of my school mates suffering from the most terrible period pain. She would have fainting spells due to the pain and suffer terrible fevers.
The matrons, of course, thought it was spiritual and the sick bay nurse would send her back each time with parecetamol thinking she was putting up a show.
And this has made me think of the girls who are suffering away without this knowledge.
I hope it gets better for you.
Also, does it ever go away, or is lifelong?
I admire your strength and your courage Cassie. God has amazing plans for you and I can’t wait to see the testimony unfold.
Thank you for being bold with your voice Cassie and thank you for enlightening others.
I do experience painful periods sometimes but I’ve never seen it as something serious to be looked into. People say it’s a normal thing all the time.
I’m definitely going to see a doctor with this.
Sending you so much love and prayers!
I can relate so much because I was recently diagnosed with fibroid but I don’t want to think so much about it. too bad we have a messed up healthcare system
This is such an Enlightening post. Thank you for Sharing.
Got to know about it last year from you and someone but seeing this post has enlightened me more.
God’s got you always, please always remember this in any situation ❤️
Keep Shining Cassie ✨
Wow this has got to be the first time I’m hearing of this..now all my friends with abnormal pain won’t hear it from me about getting it checked out.
Thanks so much Cassie..keep being strong ❤️
Obennyne.com
Everything will be alright as you said.
God is God and I love your smile here.candacee
Thanks for sharing this, Cassie! No pity party here- I know you’ll be alright!
I first heard about Endometriosis when the model Millen Mangese (sp?) ran her yellow campaign years ago. Since then, two family members have been diagnosed with it, so I’ve seen it up close. Thank you for sharing your experience- now people know they aren’t alone, and other people that aren’t affected are educated now, so when they see another in pain from “just a period”, they can empathise! You are so right about us normalising pain. Good on you for taking action early. I hope we all do the same. All the best, Cassie, and speedy recovery from surgery! xxx
This was so informative! Thank you for sharing your truth ❤❤
Wow!!! My younger sis experiences this kind of pain. I really get scared for her….she will definitely go see a doctor. Thanks for sharing.
No one has ever explained endometriosis to me in details like you just did. This was very educative to me, I am going to start holding my friends who have painful periods up for it. I used to have mad cramps before too but it has stopped, I’ll still do a test and make sure I share this article with my audience.
Hey sorry about this! You’re spot on though: we normalize pain way too much. It’s insane how often women (like me!) have pelvic pain, abdominal pain, menstrual pain, and just trivialize it. I hate that my pain threshold is high. I also think another aspect is the fear. A lot of times, women are actually terribly afraid of going to the doctor and finding out a diagnosis like this. Anyway, I pray God provides for you and gives you complete healing.
I’m a medical doctor too living with a chronic condition. You are alone dear. God will see us through and well smile at the end.
Good read and very insightful.
Thanks for sharing
Rise like a phoenix, fam! 💪
❤❤
Go girl!!
You are right, severe menstrual pain may not just be menstrual pain. 2015 during my Housemanship, I kept having cramps and a scan revealed ovarian cyst, next thing surgery and I’m being diagnosed with endometriosis
I refused a second surgery cos I was tired
Getting subcut injections, couple of medical treatment but each period is excruciating..
Stay strong
Just like you said, a laparoscopy is needed to fully diagnose endometriosis.
Although a gynecologist told me that having a laparoscopy is the way to go in order to confirm if I have endometriosis or not because of the regular pain in my lower left abdomen and the symptoms (ovarian cyst which is now gone and pain just before menstruating) I’ve been having and treating since last April, I’m scared to go under the knife. This is partly because my mum is too scared and because I’m equally scared of being diagnosed with it.
Was on pain meds for a long time but my lack of eating and use of the meds let to ulcer, so I’ve stopped pain meds since January. Now, I’m only taking contraceptives while I try to not make the pain known to anyone or even talk about it.
It’s hard treating conditions which aren’t related to the conditions one has just because the health system in the country isn’t as good as it ought to be and people get wrong diagnosis months before getting the right one. It’s hard not being sure whether one has endometriosis or not and just living with the fear and pain. It’s harder living with endometriosis.
I pray it gets easier for you and infertility never gets to be a problem for you.
Having read about other women who have endometriosis and have children even after getting diagnosed, I believe and pray God makes it possible for you as well.
Thanks for sharing this and for giving me strength to go on through this post. ❤️
Hi Cassie! Thank you for sharing your experience. Last year (October to be precise) i started experiencing pain in my lower abdomen. It was so bad that i couldn’t walk fot days. Now, I’m one who has painful periods with extremely heavy flow and so when i began to complain, none of my family members took me serious. It got so bad that i had to be rushed to the hospital one night. I had scans done and it showed that i had ovarian cysts in both ovaries. The doctors wanted to rush me in to take them out but my parents refused. Fast forward to 2 weeks ago, i passed out and had to be taken to the hopsital. This time i was rushed into the theatre for an emergency surgery. I had an oophorectomy done. I’m still in the healing phase. Looking at the large as scar on my tummy makes me so sad. And I’ve been dealing with depression since then. Hopefully, I’d get better with time.
Anyways, i hope you get better and that the second surgery goes well.
Sending you love and light!
First and foremost
I wanted to appreciate you for being bold and sharing this story here..
You had no idea of how much this article would really go a long way to help people 🙂
Once again, thanks for the share
This was very bold and courageous of you. You are not alone and you are stronger than you think. God’s definitely got you!!
Thank you for talking about this Cassie. We have normalised pain so much that some people are hooked on painkillers.
I had never heard of this until I came across it on your page. Thank you for sharing your story. God’s got you girl
Wow Cassie, you are one strong woman. Thanks for sharing! I am enlightened and will encourage my friend who experiences the absolute worst period pain,( those rolling on the floor kind) to go get checked.
http://www.giftcollins.com/how-loss-induced-depression-almost-consumed-megiftsbants/
Thank you for sharing and educating everyone Cassie. I really admire how positive your spirit is, praying that everything works out and all the things you need are provided for you. Lots of love, you’ve got this xx
Coco Bella Blog
Thank you for sharing your experience with endometriosis and taking the time to educate us about it. Thank you for your strength Cassie!
You are always an inspiration Cassie. God will definitely see you through. We are here for you too.
Okay, this has opened my understanding to somethings & I think I might be experiencing this too. Thank you for so much for sharing, Cassie.
I read about Endometriosis some months ago and I feel like going for the test but I keep putting it off because of fear and what not, you have inspired me to do that, cheers to creating awareness about endometriosis
I pray that you always remember that you’re not alone on the days the pain will threaten to tell you that you can’t handle this, may you always know that you’re loved by God, i think we often forget in the heat of our troubles, that is my one prayer for you no matter what mat may come, sending you lots of love, if you lived in Ph i would have sent you puff puff (that is if you like them)
My prayers are with you, sincerely! ❤
Hey Cassie! You will never know what this post means to me. I have wanted to write and start a support group for people living with endometriosis ‘ fibroids, ovarian cysts and the likes but I didn’t get the encouragement I thought I needed. Well, I think I just got it from you. People need to be informed and we also need to support one another.
Sorry.
I admire your confidence in sharing this medical condition and educating others.
God will see you through.
Thank you for sharing your story and shedding light on this.
We’ve all grown up thinking periods come with pain so sometimes knowing if the pain is too much might be difficult but I agree everyone should get checked.
http://www.unravellingnigeria.com.
Thank you for sharing your story and shedding light on this.
We’ve all grown up thinking periods come with pain so sometimes knowing if the pain is too much might be difficult but I agree everyone should get checked.
http://www.unravellingnigeria.com.
Thanks such for sharing, you are strong and bold and would definitely overcome.❣
Thanks such for sharing, you are strong and bold and would definitely overcome.❣GOD got you
Casssieeeeeeee. Thank you for Sharing. My period has gotten worse in the last four months. Just last week, I had a painful lower stomach pain that didn’t make me stand straight for days. I had to be bending. Was also throwing up. I’d been previously informed I have the low BP issue and then I usually have the heavy painful period (pain gotten worse by each month now). Found out I’m anaemic now too so I thought the blood she’d and all these conditions worsened the pain but I guess it may even be more than that now. Thank you for sharing Babes. So grateful. Also, I wish you quick recovery and I hioe that it gets better. Cheers to living our best lives, regardless!!
Thanks for sharing. I was constipated for a few days. I had my share of discomforts, can’t even begin to tell the story here. Tried everything possible to get myself out of the situation to no avail. How much more this. I admire your strength, dear.
Thanks for sharing. I was constipated for a few days. I had my share of discomforts, can’t even begin to tell the story here. Tried everything possible to get myself out of the situation to no avail. How much more this. I admire your strength, dear.
I really admire your strength and this article is very educative. Keep soaring Cassie!
Thank you for sharing and Sorry you had to deal with this. I’m glad you are alright. In my case, I had several pelvic scans and nothing was revealed. I eventually got a laparoscopy not so long ago.
God’s got you.. Now and always..
Love and light…
❤❤❤❤
I’ve been following your blog for 3 years now and I love your content from images (especially the quality) and just how you open up to your readers im absolutely inspire
I’m just short of words. I pray you are able to remove the cysts completely and be healed.
Thank you for talking about this. I do have pains during menses , was advised to go for a scan, I guess I will do (when I don’t feel so scared anymore)
Your surgery will be successful, as you said, God’s plans for you are of good , definitely good. *Hugs and kisses*
What a bold, courageous post. Thank you so much for being so honest and vulnerable about your experience. This is one of the most touching posts I have read on the topic. I wish you all the best as you go through this journey. God bless you and may you continue to be a light for others. || http://www.lorikemi.com
Thanks for being so open with this. I have a sister who has very painful cycles and it’s been on my mind to tell her to get herself checked out. But now I’m definitely asking her to check it out.
I pray you have the strength you need. And also the surgery goes well. Xx
Thanks so much for sharing your person life.
Sometimes in 2016, I had this terrible period that lasted for about a month, it was so heavy. I couldn’t leave the house. It came with thick clots of blood. I was admitted in the hospital and given primolut pills which stopped the bleeding. I had a pelvic scan and everything was fine. It normalised and came back after some months. I just took primolut to manage it.
May 2019, I visited a gyn who placed me on some contraceptives for about a month. But I still feel some pains not too much during my period. And unwanted hair started growing on my face and chin. I goggles it and it’s a symptom of PCOS
Any advice will be appreciated
Thanks for sharing, I pray you are restored to perfect health.
I’ve been like that patient since the first period, things have gotten even worse recently. I’d have to see a gynaecologist and I’m pretty scared about what the result’s gonna be
Pain shouldn’t be normalised.
That’s a huge deal, I’m hoping there’ll be more awareness on this.
Thank you for sharing this and I pray God’s grace and provision for you Cassie.
Thank you so much for sharing. This is one post every woman should read. I think I also need to get tested because, although I am aware that I have ovarian cysts but there hasn’t been any unusual pain or situation surrounding it except during ovulation. I’ll definitely share this with every female in my circle.
I think it’s awesome that you put out this post. A lot of people need to be educated on this topic.
I face extra painful periods and have to be on a number of IV drugs to reduce the pain, stop the vomiting and saline for energy. In secondary school, the principal and staff used to think I would fake the pain just to skip class or assembly😅.
In 2018, a doctor asked if I knew what endometriosis was because that could be the cause of the pain. After a lot of tests, swabs and ultrasounds, a cause still hasn’t been found and a lot of people (doctors included) still claim I’m ‘overreacting’ when I have my period.
I’m still looking for the courage to talk about it openly😅
Sending lots of love and hugs! ❤️❤️❤️
It’s will end in praise says the good book, I love your strength and pray you are out of the woods now, remain blessed