Sarah’s Story
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, so I wanted to share something a little personal. I have Stage 4 Endometriosis, and in April 2023 I had laparoscopic surgery to treat it.
If you’ve never heard of Endometriosis, or you’ve heard the word but aren’t quite sure what it actually means, you’re not alone.
So what is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it. It can attach to organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and bowel. Each month, this tissue behaves like a menstrual cycle, but unlike a normal period, it has nowhere to go. That’s what causes inflammation, scarring and, in many cases, severe pain.
There are four stages, and Stage 4 is considered severe. But it’s important to know that the stage doesn’t always match the level of pain. We are all different and someone with Stage 1 can experience debilitating symptoms, while someone with Stage 4 might not even realise they have it.
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. That’s millions of people, including young people starting out in education, training and work.
Common Symptoms
Endometriosis looks different for everyone, but here are some of the most common symptoms:
- Extremely painful periods
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pelvic pain outside of your period
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when going to the toilet
- Bloating (often called “Endo Belly”)
- Extreme Fatigue
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Mythbusters
1: “It’s just a bad period.”
No! Period pain that interferes with school, work or daily life isn’t something you just have to put up with. Pain that severe deserves medical attention.
2: “You’re too young to have endometriosis.”
Endometriosis can start in teenage years.
3: “A hysterectomy cures it.”
There is currently no guaranteed cure for endometriosis. Surgery can remove endometriosis tissue, and it can massively improve symptoms (it did for me), but it isn’t a magic wand.
4: “If you had endometriosis, you’d know.”
On average, it takes years to get a diagnosis. Many people are dismissed, misdiagnosed or told their pain is normal.
My Surgery Experience
In April 2023, I had laparoscopic surgery. It’s minimally invasive and is currently the only way to definitively diagnose and remove endometriosis tissue.
Recovery wasn’t glamorous, think slow walks, lots of rest, and a new appreciation for elasticated waistbands! I also had my appendix removed unexpectedly during surgery, as the Endometriosis had fused to it, but that’s a whole different story! However, it gave me answers and significant relief. Most importantly, it validated what I’d been feeling for years.
Top Tips for Coping
If you think you might have endometriosis, here are some things that helped me:
1. Track your symptoms.
Write down when pain happens, how long it lasts, and how it affects you. This can be powerful when speaking to a GP.
2. Advocate for yourself.
If something doesn’t feel right, keep asking questions. You know your body better than anyone else.
3. Build your support team.
Whether that’s friends, family, colleagues or online communities, don’t go through it alone.
4. Prioritise rest without feeling guilty.
Fatigue is real. Rest is productive when your body is dealing with chronic inflammation.
5. Learn your triggers.
Some people find certain foods, stress or lack of sleep can worsen symptoms. Small lifestyle adjustments can make a difference.
6. Talk about it.
The more we normalise conversations around menstrual health, the less stigma there is for the next generation.
Helping You
Here at Showcase Training, we work with young people at key stages of their lives. Missing visits, struggling to concentrate, or calling in sick regularly might not be a lack of commitment, it could be a health condition that hasn’t yet been diagnosed.
If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me,” please know painful periods are not something you have to just endure. Help is out there, and you deserve to be listened to. Endometriosis is invisible. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t real.
And if sharing my experience helps even one person seek answers sooner than I did, it’s worth it.
Useful Contacts
The Endometriosis Foundation: https://www.theendometriosisfoundation.org/
Endometriosis UK: https://www.endometriosis-uk.org/
Endometriosis South Coast: https://endometriosissouthcoast.com/
Contact us for support: https://showcasetraining.co.uk/contact/