Endometriosis is a disease in people with uteruses that causes endometrial tissue to grow outside the uterus, most the time into the pelvic region. People with endometriosis struggle with crippling periods, infertility, and a poor quality of life when it's that time of the month. Endometriosis is typically genetic, but can have some other factors as well. The treatment for this is hormonal birth control, or surgery to remove lesions.
We also know about polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a disease that effects over up to 70% of women (undiagnosed). Factors for this disease can be genetic predisposition, insulin resistance, high androgens, certain toxins, other hormonal imbalances, and obesity. The treatment for this is hormonal birth control, diet changes, and surgery to remove cysts.
I have a genetic predisposition to PCOS, on top of diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and high blood pressure. From my first ever period, I struggled with bipolar like mood swings, heavy bleeding, cramps so bad where I would throw up and miss school, and was started on birth control at the age of 13. No amount of diet changing or working out could stop the wrecking ball from hitting me. Before my freshman year, I got an IUD, just to be safe. The hormonal IUD was supposed to stop my periods completely and help with my cramping. My body started to physically reject the IUD, to where I gained 60 lbs in the span of 4 months, was bleeding for 6 months straight, and still had horrible cramping.
Upon removal of my IUD, I went to an endocrinologist, where I was diagnosed with PCOS, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and type II diabetes, with obesity.
The endocrinologist referred me to an OBGYN, where I got ultrasounds done.
Adenomyosis. What is it? As the gyno said, "your uterus looks like a chalupa from Taco Bell".
Adenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, except the endometrial tissue grows on the muscles in the uterus. This disease has been shown to be caused by long term estrogen exposure. (I have been on estrogen for 7 years, on top of the IUD which also had estrogen). This disease is relatively new in the world of reproductive health and science and has only ever been seen in people who have had children, I was my OBGYN's youngest person (who had never been pregnant) with the disease.
There is little research on ALL of these reproductive disorders and it astounds me as it effects many women. The only treatment option is (once again) hormonal birth control, and to have a hysterectomy. I am 22 years old, and I have spent 9 years on birth control due to the pain I get from periods. This should not be my only option.
For all my girlies in the chat, CRIPPLING PERIOD PAIN IS NOT NORMAL!
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adenomyosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369138
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
hji8888888
I completely agree with your last sentence, crippling period pain is not normal. I have suffered from crippling period pain since I was 13, I am now 21, and have been through so many forms of birth control to help. I can not tell you how many times I was walking through Home Depot with my dad and I was on the floor crying because my legs could not support my body any more. More research needs to be dedicated towards the woman's reproductive system because no fifteen year old child should have to beg her doctor to give her a hysterectomy.
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