Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Also known as PCOS, a hormonal disorder that may cause infertility, ovarian cysts, weight gain, weight loss, unwanted facial hair, and more.

Endo & Ovarian Cysts

| Bloomin' Uterus
Illustration of an ovary and fallopian tube

Many women with Endometriosis suffer from recurrent cysts on their ovaries.  But why? And what exactly is a cyst?

What is a cyst?

A cyst is an abnormal sac inside your body, completely enclosed, and it may contain liquid, gas, pus, fluids, semi-solid, or solid materials.  Imagine a blister, full of puss, tight and ready to be popped.  Now imagine that inside your body : a cyst is kind of like that.  However, if a cyst is full of puss, it is known as an abscess.  Cysts are typically non-cancerous, although some may lead to cancerous growths or tumors.  They are usually caused by an infection or clogging of the glands, although they may be caused by genetics, chronic inflammatory conditions, injury, cellular defects, or even parasites.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Ginny

| Bloomin' Uterus
A blonde woman smiling

Ginny was diagnosed when she was 31.  Now 37, Ginny lives in Arkansas with her wonderful husband.  Despite this happy ending, she continues to suffer from the pain and effects of Endometriosis, and continues ongoing treatment…and a hunt for answers.

Ginny’s Journey: My first hospitalization for severe abdominal pain happened at age 16. The intensity of the pain and internal bleeding had caused my blood pressure to drop to 70/30 and my body to go into shock. It was the first of many ER visits for similar symptoms but the only one taken seriously enough to admit me to the hospital overnight.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Andy

| Bloomin' Uterus
text that reads Live every day to its fullest

Andy was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 23.  Now 29, Andy hasn’t let her diagnosis slow her down:  She’s earned her Ph.D., is always active and continues to increase her physical activity.  She also loves to bake and spend time with her family and fur-babies on the coast of Australia.  Her positive attitude is an inspiration!

Andy’s Journey: I was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2008, during the first year of my PhD at the age of 23, after five years of severe pain and being bounced around from one doctor to another. Some doctors told me I was overacting and that it was “just period pain”, whilst one doctor told me it was PCOS. From the age of 18 I was taking Yasmin for the control of a few cysts a scan had found on my ovaries at that age. However Yasmin did nothing to control my pain and in fact after five years I developed more cysts and horrible headaches.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Nikkia

| Bloomin' Uterus
Nikkia

Nikkia was diagnosed when she was 23 years old.  Now 31, she lives in Arizona and she and her husband are trying to conceive their second child.  Please keep them in your prayers as they are facing the difficult decision of a hysterectomy due to the complications of her illness.

Nikkia’s Journey: Endometriosis has a long history in my family. My grandmother passed away at a young age of endometrium cancer (the lining of the uterus). My mother has had two surgeries to removed fibroids to the point it didn’t help so they did a partial hysterectomy. For me I started noticing sharp pelvic pain when I was 22 . My husband and I was trying to conceive but was unsuccessful.

Continue reading →

Share Your Story : Angela

| Bloomin' Uterus
A woman with brown hair wearing glasses

Angela was 29 when she found out she had Endometriosis.  Now 32, she continues to have pain and problems, despite several excision surgeries.  She lives in Darwen in the United Kingdom and she and her fiancé are the proud and happy parents of their fur-baby, Alfie. They continue to push on and live, despite these difficulties.

Angela’s Journey: I’ve always struggled with painful and heavy periods since the age of about 14. I was used to going months without one and then the floodgates would open and the Hell would start again. When I was 18 I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. To be fair I was quite lucky with my symptoms. Yes I put on weight but thankfully I didn’t develop excess hair. It was manageable. I was prepared for potential fertility issues but I wasn’t overly concerned. And then it all went wrong. So so wrong.

Continue reading →