MariaElisa am was diagnosed with Endometriosis this year at the age of 25 after a 10-year struggle for answers.

MariaElisa’s Journey:  I got my first 10cm cyst at age 12, delayed removing it because I was “too young”. Once they decided to do emergency laparoscopy it ruptured and had a torsion which damaged my right ovary and Fallopian tube.

Got my first period at 14, all seemed normal until I turned 16. Severe, heavy painful periods. They started to become more irregular and i was left in debilitating pain on my legs and lower back. Doctor after doctor kept telling me being a girl with these pains isn’t anything to be worried about because my sonograms and paps were “normal” except my enlarged left ovary which I’ve known about for years.

But no obgyn ever realized how painful all these procedures left me on my insides, until one day I came across a few pages of girls who lived near me and I got referred to a specialist who knew what he was talking about and does excision.

He was the first to ever tell me how inflamed and aggravated my pelvis was and saw how painful it was when he did the exam. A month later after 10 long years I had surgery to confirm I wasn’t crazy or seeking attention! I lost a lot of friendships and relationships along the way because I was simply being a “flake” of constantly having pain. I still manage to work two jobs and live a semi normal life and try to distract my pain as best as I can!

My inbox is always open for others who feel alone !

Words of Advice:   Never ever give up on searching for answers ! We all know our bodies and when something is wrong!

The Last Word: Advocate until you find accurate answers from well known physicians ! Excision is standard care not ablation! When you’re offered drugs such as orilissa or Lupron please do research to make sure you know every detail and side effects and whether or not it’ll be good for your body!

If you would like to email MariaElisa, please feel free to do so.

I want to send a special Thank You out to MariaElisa for being brave enough to share her personal story, struggle, and victories with us today. 

I am so sorry it took me so long to share your post… and I hope you’re doing well!

And if YOU would like to share your story, you can do so.  The best part about this disease is the strong network of love and support from our fellow EndoSisters, and our friends and family, too.

Yours, Lisa.