Truth, Theory, or Tall Tale?

November 3, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

hazard symbol of skull and crossbones on orange background

Environmental toxins may play a role in the development and progression of Endometriosis?

Do I sound like a dirty hippy? Maybe. But there are a lot of theories out there about what may cause or influence Endometriosis. But scientific studies have been long-published, and are also newly-emerging, that support the evidence that environmental toxins play a role in Endo’s development and progression.

A study published in the 2015 book “Endometriosis A Comprehensive Update” discusses just those factors. The abstract states, “[h]uman exposure to toxins is often unavoidable, but measures including a detailed history taken by clinicians and lifestyle changes can help detect and limit exposure and assist in the body’s detoxification processes. Growing evidence suggests a possible link between endometriosis and environmental pollutants.”

So I may sound like a dirty hippy, which is okay by me, but the chemicals and toxins that we expose our bodies to may very well play a role in the progression of this disease. You may want to do a little bit more digging on this subject.

Feel Good Fridays

October 30, 2015December 30, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Jack Nicholson portraying The Joker in Batman the movie

Happy Friday!

I have a lot of little good things happening in life. Unexpected and sudden happy things. Which leads to today’s quote, by Research Programmer, Norm Papernick:

“Those who can laugh without cause have either found the true meaning of happiness or have gone stark raving mad.”

I absolutely loved this. Thanks, Norm, for such a fun-loving and wonderful quote!

Have a great weekend! And laugh!

Yours, Lisa

UPDATE : Tampons Taboo?

October 27, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

If you recall, we wrote about tampons and the potential for chemicals and processing which may be harmful to people who use them. Well, there’s been some recent developments.

Procter & Gamble (they make Tampax) and Kimberly-Clark (they make Kotex) have conceded to public pressure to disclose some ingredients of their feminine hygiene products. You can read the online ingredients of each here:

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Amy

October 27, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Amy was 29 years old when she learned she had Endometriosis. Now 38 and living in New Jersey, she has turned her personal battle with Endometriosis into a campaign to help others.

Amy’s Journey: My first memory of my cramps was when I was just 14 years old. I was on vacation with my family in Florida at my Grandmother’s house. We were there for a fun family vacation. However, my cramps were so bad that my mother insisted that I do a shot of brandy to warm my insides up. I was only 14! That is how my period started and it has continued to affect my life on a constant basis.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Nat

October 26, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Yellow awareness ribbon with text that reads I'm a Non-binary Endo Warrior

Nat was 22 years old when diagnosed with Endometriosis. Now 33, Nat wants to share a very important message to the Endo Community, crossing gender barriers and reaching out to an often-neglected group of EndoWarriors.

Nat’s Journey: We need to stop making illness about gender – a.k.a I’m a boi with endo. Under my list of illnesses/disabilities, I mark endometriosis as being one of the most debilitating pain wise. I mean yes I’ve been pretty much out of action this past week thanks to vertigo, but that pales in comparison to the pain of a first full day of menstrual bleeding that chose this morning to kick in and sent me crawling back under the covers. I’ve gone from anti-vertigo meds to the strongest painkillers I have in the flat that aren’t codeine and a heat pack being applied across my tummy in order to just sit up. And believe me when I say that I WISH I lived in America and could go buy a tub of Aleve rather than a tiny pack of NINE of the same effing tablets for £5 (around $8 USD), yes that’s right for NINE of them.

Continue reading →

Bladder & Endometriosis

October 21, 2015January 1, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

You’ve likely heard that Endometriosis can grow in all sorts of places inside the body. Well, the bladder and urinary tract are no exception. Endometriosis implants can grow on or inside the walls of the bladder or along the urethra.

Symptoms

Common symptoms patients may complain about with bladder Endo are frequently needing to pee, pain when the bladder is full, painful urination, and an urgent need to pee. Some also suffer from blood in their urine when they’re on their cycles (may be hard to distinguish…given the natural course of what a period does…). This urine-blood may not be perceptible to the naked eye and require a lab test. And as usual, many EndoWarriors only have these symptoms during their periods; others have them 24/7. It should also be noted that many with bladder Endo don’t present any symptoms.

Continue reading →

Feel Good Fridays

October 16, 2015December 30, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

It’s Friiiiiiiiiiiiday! And I’ve been having a stressful week, so this week’s quote is about…stress! Brought to you by Danzae Pace:

“Stress is the trash of modern life-we all generate it but if you don’t dispose of it properly, it will pile up and overtake your life.”

So, it’s true : we all have stress in our lives. Some a little, some a lot. And we all have to deal with it, or it WILL win. Breathe. Meditate. Get away. Color. Watch your favorite show. Listen to music. Walk the dog. Cry. Something. Let it all out and give it some release. I need to take some of my advice this weekend 😉

Truth, Theory, or Tall Tale?

October 13, 2015December 30, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Stem cells may play a role in the regenerative and recurrent properties of Endometriosis.

A new study was published on September 12, 2015, in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences which presents the theory that stem cells are involved in Endometriosis growth and recurrence. It also brings up an interesting point that studies have shown tobacco smokers tend to have a low occurrence of Endometriosis, and they believe it may have something to do with tobacco inhibiting stem cell migration, thus inhibiting Endometriosis’ growth (assuming the stem cell theory explains it’s growth, migration, and recurrence). While this publication cannot come to a conclusion as to their role, it does present some interesting questions which will need to be further researched. If you’d like to read it, click here.

Resources:

Milena Králíčková, Vaclav Vetvicka. Endometriosis: Are Stem Cells Involved?. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medical Sciences. Vol. 1, No. 3, 2015, pp. 65-69. doi: 10.11648/j.ijcems.20150103.16

Feel Good Fridays

October 9, 2015December 30, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Black and white photograph of a cat with one ear that's been clipped

To all of you who do little things to cheer people up, thank you. Help someone out today. Buy a cup of coffee for the person in line behind you. Tip 20%. Give a hug, or even just flash a smile. Take a penny, give a penny. Feed a stray cat. Wave to a passing car. And to those EndoWarriors who send “Yellow Mail,” this quote’s for you: