Endometriosis is not an obstacle, just a speed bump
“ My period started when I was 14. Before that, I wondered why I didn't have my period already, as all my friends had theirs. In hindsight, I'm grateful that I didn't start my period at the age of 11 because after the first six months, I had already experie”
"My mother and I decided to get me on the pill to help with the symptoms. At the doctor's, no one said that the pain was abnormal, I thought I had just been unlucky because I've had such terrible period pains."
My period started when I was 14. Before that, I wondered why I didn't have my period already, as all my friends had theirs. In hindsight, I'm grateful that I didn't start my period at the age of 11: after the first six months, I had already experienced the more unpleasant and painful part of my period. My lower abdomen and back were in an unbelievable burning pain during my period, and sometimes I had cramps even between periods. Going to school was sometimes impossible. My periods were also heavy and my cycle short, and I wanted to get rid of them. My mother and I decided to get me birth control pills to ease the symptoms. At the doctor's, no one said that the pain was abnormal, I thought I had just been unlucky because I've had such terrible period pains.
In the summer of 2013, in my hobby, I was suffering from menstruation and complaining and crying about the pain. Jutta from Korento was involved in the same hobby, noticed my symptoms, and told me for the first time about a disease called endometriosis. Jutta gave me a symptom diary, which I took to the doctor and told them I suspected endometriosis. Now I can understand what causes my discomfort, bloating, intercourse or post-coital pain, my bowel symptoms, and urinary pain. Nowadays, it's easy for me to read myself and be merciful to myself, because I know that the symptoms are related to the illness.
I was very lucky to have been diagnosed at such a young age and started taking the pill straight away. The pills prevent the disease from progressing and make life easier. I only have my period 6 times a year. But my worst fear is that I won't be able to have children because of endometriosis. Fortunately, there are now excellent treatments and different ways to have children.
A positive attitude can make a difference in how you cope with the disease, and even just talking about it can make it easier. Especially the more negative aspects of the illness I sometimes want to share with someone. I talk about my illness quite frankly and easily; I don’t feel any shame about it. Also in a relationship, knowing and understanding the illness makes things much easier.
I hope that others are as lucky as I have been and get help as young as possible – that's why endometriosis needs to be talked about! No one has to cry alone about pain or other symptoms. It would be important for young women to know from a young age that it's not normal to have severe menstrual pain. And hey, this illness is not an obstacle, it's just a speed bump!
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