INSPIRED
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Inspired
ENDOMETRIOSIS My first inspiration blog is of an incredible woman, Melissa tasovac (aka, Melly). This year I started a business course and was fortunate enough to meet this amazing woman, it really didn't take long at all before we became friends. I recently learnt that Melly suffers from a condition called "ENDOMETRIOSIS" Curious to know more about the condition and Melly eager to share her story in the hopes to spread awareness as well as showing other woman they aren't alone, I decided to ask a little more about the condition and what exactly it entails. For those who are wondering what endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to that, which normally lines the uterus, grows in other parts of the body. Who does endometriosis affect? Studies suggest that it affects 5 – 10% of menstruating women in Australia. What happens when you have endometriosis? The 'stray' endometrial tissue is referred to as endometrial implants or endometrial lesions. Endometrial lesions are commonly found
The condition is associated with severe pelvic and period pain, heavy periods and infertility, all of which can have a negative impact on the lives of affected women, their family and friends. Pain is the most common symptom experienced by women with endometriosis. There are many ways that endometrial lesions can cause pain. Lesions cause irritation and inflammation to the tissue and organs that surround them. Scar tissue forming around the lesions can result in the pelvic organs being stuck together. These adhesions can mean that the stuck together organs are unable to move freely, making movements such as ovulation, sexual intercourse or going to the toilet painful. Over time, the endometrial lesions on the ovaries may enlarge and form cysts. These cysts are called 'chocolate cysts' because they are filled with old blood which is chocolate-like in colour. What are some symptoms of endometriosis? Endometriosis symptoms vary widely depending on the location of the implants in the body. They can include:
While women typically experience symptoms at the time of their period, because there are many different types of pain experienced by women with endometriosis, symptoms can occur at other times and can continue after menopause. The anticipation of pain or discomfort, recurrence of symptoms following treatment and fertility problems, can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, hopelessness and stress amongst sufferers. How do you know if you have endometriosis? You can never really 100% know if you have it or not, generally if a family member has it or had it and got everything removed after the right steps being followed ie 2 kids and being at the age of 30+ But the only way to check is to ask for a Laparoscopy (aka Key hole surgery), this is the only way to find out if you truly have it or not. But of course knowing all the information doesn't always help, having the knowledge doesn't necessarily prepare you for what comes after finding out the diagnosis! I asked melly how she felt after the diagnosis and what happened through out the process? "I started to worry as soon as I turned 18, my periods were heavier more painful and I couldn't have sex at all because it honestly hurt so much. I'd cripple over in pain and tears streaming down my face" What was involved with your diagnosis? "I fought with my Dr for months about my pain and struggles and she didn't even consider the fact that I might have it, she made me take 3 pregnancy tests in a time period of 1 week, I remember the following week I walked in furious and told her to send me to a specialist cause I had honestly had enough, I needed to know what was going on, my sister and mum both had it so it was a possibility, but I was hoping that I had been lucky enough to not get it, boy was I wrong. During the time of waiting for my hospital appointment I had tried several types of pain killers and anti-inflammatory tablets in hopes to dim and or shut out the pain so I could live a normal day without being in pain all the time." Did the pain killers work? "They worked for awhile then my body built up a tolerance to them" How did you feel before finding out? "As my appointment date drew nearer I started to freak out a little and wondered if I was even able to have kids, if I'd be able to start my own family, and it honestly effected me to a point I was feeling really down and depressed about life. When were you diagnosed? "I was officially diagnosed in August of 2015. I had fought since I was 18 years old with Dr's thinking I was full of shit and I was making up this story, I got diagnosed at 19" How did it feel to think no one was taking you seriously? "its sad to think that Dr's treat young people like they are stupid and have no idea what we are on about." So after your diagnosis and treatment, I guess things went back to normal right? "After my 2 week recovery I returned to work and noticed I had been replaced by someone new and got told the same day I would be finishing up the following week, of course this broke me, I literally just found out I had 'Endo' and to top it off I lost my job, already suffering from depression I withdrew myself from the world, I didn't go out, I hardly even spoke to family and my partner at the time, I was ready to give up, I felt horrible." So how did you find peace? "After awhile I gave up caring what happened next, I chose to say fuck it a lot more and to just live life the way I felt I could, things got easier, looked brighter, and eventually I got myself to a happy point again." Thank you for sharing your story, is there anything you'd like to tell other women suffering endo? "No thank you for taking the time to help me spread my story, It literally means the world to me that someone is willing to take the time to do this... I'd tell them they are not alone in this, there is a group on Facebook full of women who are currently living with endo and going through their own struggles, its a support group where you are free to talk about what you're feeling and to gather other alternative ideas on how to cope with it." Whats the page called? The page is called "Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support" They also hold functions for get togethers and Marches helping to spread the word of what endo really is. "You are never alone!" Click the title "ENDOMETRIOSIS" to go to endometriosis Australia and help put an end to endo!
or Click the "Endometriosis Perth Sisterhood of Support" to be directed to the support group to talk with other women just like yourself. There will also be a link in the groups bio for loved ones of those suffering from endo where you can get help on how to deal with it and how to gain knowledge for yourself.
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