Adenomyosis

A condition where endometrial-like tissue grows within the walls of the uterus. Oftentimes called the cousin to Endometriosis.

It hurts to have sex…

| Bloomin' Uterus
A bed with the blankets drawn back revealing the sheets and four pillows

So this entry’s going to get a bit personal.  And possibly full of Too Much Information.  But it is a topic that needs to be addressed.  Not only for myself, but for countless otherssuffering from the same issues.

One of the symptoms of Endometriosis for a lot of EndoWarriors is painful sex (either during, after, or both), and it’s estimated that more than half of the people with Endo suffer from it.  The fancy name for pelvic pain during or after sex is Dyspareunia. It’s common and it could have a myriad of causes and factors.  Some of those factors can be vaginal dryness, herpes, Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, fibroids, Adenomyosis, uterine tilt, bowel tenderness or fullness, pelvic inflammatory disease, infections, or bladder issues.  The pain can be limited to the vaginal opening or canal, or it can extend deeper into the pelvic region and thighs.  This pain can stop as soon as sexual activity is stopped, or can last for hours, or even days afterward.  It can be a dull ache, a sharp pain, stabbing sensations, and can range from barely there to excruciating.

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Share your Story : Nadia

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Nadia is the team leader for Team Zimbabwe.  They’re putting together the first ever EndoMarch in their country and are hoping it will be a great success.  They are also hosting a February 27, 2016, awareness campaign with guest speakers to try to not only raise awareness of our illness, but hold in-depth conversations about possible causes and future treatments.  Nadia and I have been talking for the past several days and she’s allowing me to share her story with you today.

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Share Your Story : Amy

| Bloomin' Uterus
A woman at a music concert

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.

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Is there a link between Endometriosis and Endometrial Hyperplasia?

| Bloomin' Uterus
Bloomin' Uterus logo surrounded by question marks

One of my readers recently contacted me asking if I could do some research for her.  Her physicians suspect she may have hyperplasia.  What is that, you may ask?  It’s the changing or enlarging of cells or organs which may develop into cancer.  Specifically, she is undergoing tests to see if she has endometrial hyperplasia.  Now what’s that?  It’s when the uterine lining (the endometrium) is too thick.  Her question?  Is there a link between Endo and hyperplasia?

I found this to be very interesting as I had an MRI before my diagnostic surgery which found I had abnormally thick uterine lining.  The first part of my surgery last year was to go in and perform a D&C (dilation & curettage) to remove some of the thick lining.  So now I’m not only researching for my reader, but for myself (although my D&C biopsy came back normal).

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Share your Story : Amanda

| Bloomin' Uterus
A smiling woman with brown hair

Amanda was diagnosed with Endometriosis at 22 and had a hysterectomy at 28.  Now 36, she continues to suffer from chronic pain, despite the hysterectomy.  Regardless, she fights through it and she and her husband have adopted two lovely children. She is blessed, even with all she has endured.  May her story aid others in their journey.

Amanda’s Journey: My story started one summer afternoon when I was twelve. My family had gone on a day trip to a park. My period had started that day and the cramps started as usual. This day was going to be a turning point though as the pain reached a point to where I found myself curled up on the floor of our minivan drenched in a cold sweat, praying that I would not throw up as my family picnicked nearby.

At first, these episodes happened a few times a year. By the time I was seventeen, they became a monthly occurrence. I did not understand the significance of the degree of pain I was in. All of my friends complained about their periods so I figured I was just experiencing what everyone else did. My mom took me to my first gynecologist appointment that year, searching for relief. I was started on an anti-inflammatory and told that it was “normal” to have cramps like that at my age. Hopefully, they would improve with age.

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