March is Endometriosis Awareness Month!
So I’m taking this opportunity to share my endo story with you and take you inside endometriosis with my video story.
Inside Endometriosis
I had symptoms since I was a teenager, but I didn’t get proper treatment or even a diagnosis until 10 years later. Which is why I’m sharing my story.
Endo is much more common than most people realize. I’d never even heard of it until right before I was diagnosed.
I had to push and push and push my way through several gynecologists before I found one that listened to me, so I want to get this endo info out there for other women who may be struggling.
You are NOT alone!
And there is hope. No, it’s NOT all in your head. You’re not going crazy. It’s very real. And your pain is real.
Whether you deal with a chronic illness or just need a reminder that God is our ultimate Healer, get this wallpaper for your phone when you sign up for my weekly email doses of grace below—my gift to you!
THERE IS HOPE.
It might take a while before you find a doctor who will listen to you, but don’t stop looking.
Research, ask around, and be aware of the symptoms. They might be mild or incredibly severe. They might be limited to the pelvic area, but if you have other pain in unrelated areas, that doesn’t mean it’s not endometriosis. (I talk more about this in the video!!)
Okay, I’m excited to get on to the video, but before we do, here are a few facts about endo:
It’s estimated that around 1 out of every 10 women has endometriosis.
And the really frustrating thing about it is that women suffer from symptoms for an average of 7-10 years before being diagnosed.
There’s been talk in the medical industry in the last few years that it might even be an autoimmune disease. Which makes sense because it’s almost like the body is attacking itself.
The most widely accepted theory about endometriosis is that bits of the lining of the uterus travel throughout the body and implant themselves into places where they shouldn’t be.
Then every month, those pieces of tissue shed just like the uterine lining, but they have no outlet and scar tissue and adhesions begin to form.
Some schools of thought believe that those rogue bits of tissue are already there from birth, and then they begin to grow at puberty once a girl starts her period.
There’s also a genetic component. Women with a mother or sister who has endo are more likely to have it themselves.
Above all, if you have any of the symptoms I describe in my story, be sure to see a gynecologist, and try to find one with experience in endometriosis treatment.
Not all GYN’s are familiar with endo. So make sure to hunt for a specialist. Start calling up local gynecologist’s offices and asking if there’s a doctor on staff who specializes in endometriosis.
Be proactive. Ask for imaging, for testing, for diagnostic surgery. Be sure to make your pain and the severity of your symptoms known.
Okay, let’s get on to the video!
Warning: This content may be sensitive to some readers. My goal in sharing my story is to be open and honest in order to help bring awareness to endometriosis and other chronic/invisible illnesses. That means some things might be TMI for some people, so feel free to watch at your own discretion. Also, if you or someone you love deals with a chronic illness, my heart goes out to you! My goal is to encourage you in whatever struggles you’re facing, so please consider yourself virtually hugged by me! xo
There is hope, there is success, and there are doctors who listen.
xo Liv
If you would prefer to read instead of watching the video, go inside my endometriosis story with these posts:
Fighting Endometriosis: My Endo Warrior Story | Part 1
Conquering Endometriosis: My Endo Warrior Story | Part 2
Have you ever struggled with endo or another chronic or “invisible” illness? Let me know in the comments, or click here to share your story with me privately via email.
If you enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs-up and subscribe to my channel!
And if you know someone who would be encouraged by this video, please share it with them.
Whether you deal with a chronic illness or just need a reminder that God is our ultimate Healer, get this wallpaper for your phone when you sign up for my weekly email doses of grace below—my gift to you!
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- 4 Ways My Chronic Illness Has Been a Blessing
- How Can I Stop Feeling Overwhelmed?
- Inside Anorexia: My Video Story
- How I Lost My Mom but Not My Joy
- The Truth
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