Is there a link between Endometriosis and Endometrial Hyperplasia?

September 29, 2015January 1, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

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 : Michelle

August 13, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Michelle had suffered with the pain associated with Endo long before she was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 21. Now 52, she lives in Bury, Lancashire in the UK. Her story is one of the more dramatic ones I’ve read so far:

Michelle’s Journey: I had excruciating period pain from being 16. My doctor at the time told my mum I was hypochondriac and could not take pain. We all believed him.

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Shoulders for Sisters : Suicide Prevention

June 28, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Suicide and Endometriosis has been a topic heavy on my heart for the past seven months. Am I suicidal? No. However, last year there were several EndoWarriors who committed suicide. And this year a few more have. Too many. But can easily understand their hopelessness: pain; no cure; the potential for multiple surgeries; regrowth; Western medicine, alternative medicine, natural supplements, snake oils, relief, recurrence, and the cycle starts all over again. Not to mention a sense of being completely alone, misunderstood, misdiagnosed, mistreated by physicians, mislabeled as drug-seekers, fakers, and crazies.

I’ve been trying to think of ways that I can help. In a small way. Or a big way. And I’ve fallen short on ideas… But today I’ve learned of a group where Warriors with suicidal thoughts can go for help. An old-fashioned phone-line group. Yes, that’s right. You can email, PM, or call someone if you need to talk. Talk with someone who is in your shoes. Who knows what you’re going through…because they’re going through it, too. Understand that you are not alone, and understand that people want to listen. And help.

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Endometriosis and Infertility

May 19, 2015January 7, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Many women with Endometriosis also suffer from infertility. Why? Well, that very question spawned today’s research…

It is believed that Endometriosis is present in 24-78% of infertile women (depending on who you ask). That’s a huge figure! Infertility associated with Endometriosis may occur at any state of the disease (I to IV; mild to severe). It’s believed that the Stage of Endo may effect the rate of infertility: people with “mild” Endo have been known to conceive 2-4.5% per month; people with moderate to severe Endo drop to less than 2%. Normal, fertile couples conceive at a rate of 15-20% per month. It’s a big difference all across the board.

The medical and scientific community do not have answers as to why Endo may make women infertile; only theories:

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Reader’s Choice : Can Men Get Endometriosis?

May 6, 2015January 1, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Last night, my boyfriend and I were talking about Endo’s “weirdness” how it can pop up in strange and unheard of places, and he popped the question (no, not THE question…), “Are there any reports of men having Endometriosis?” I remembered reading somewhere that there were a few rare cases of it, but hadn’t read them deeply enough to understand their situations, diagnoses, and prognoses. So, we have our topic for today!!

In rare cases, cis-men develop Endometriosis. Transmen also suffer from the disease. But we will focus on cis-men for this blog: it appears many have been treated with long-term or large doses of estrogen therapy, but some are healthy men who have no history of cancer or estrogen treatment. Here’s what I could find:

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Endo & Liver Function

March 4, 2015January 7, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Most of my blogs are started out of my own curiosity, and this one is no different.

I’ve read in numerous sources that people with Endometriosis need to keep our livers in tip-top condition; well-greased and in proper working order. I’ve seen a few Facebook posts from other EndoWarriors that they have heightened levels of *something* when they have a liver panel blood test done, and they wonder if their Endometriosis may have something to do with that. That struck a chord with me because I have Gilbert’s Syndrome, which is a liver disease diagnosed through heightened liver panel results.

Does my Endo affect my liver’s functions? And does that, in turn, add to or affect my Gilbert’s Syndrome? My liver blood panel test results?

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Share Your Story : Lisa

February 27, 2015January 1, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

A red-headed pirate laughing and holding her tankard of ale

I realized that I’ve asked you to share your story, but haven’t actually put mine out there in one place (maybe a snippet here or there)….time to get everything out on paper so it leaves my head and heart (sorry it’s so loooooong…I couldn’t stop!). I was diagnosed when I was 35 years old in 2014.

My Journey: I started my period when I was 12 or 13 years old. I remember them hurting (but not as devastating as they have in my adult years), but figured it was normal. I grew up hearing we were cursed because of Eve’s decision to sin, punished into pain and childbirth. I also heard that some of my family members had really painful periods. So again, it was normal. Classmates said they had cramps, too…so I figured mine were just normal. I became that girl in Junior High and High School that would walk around with a hoodie tied around her waist every month because I’d almost always overflow. I had classmates come up to me during the really hard cramps, ask if I was okay, that I was white as a ghost and sweating…and I’d spend time curled up in the Nurse’s office after taking an Ibuprofen. But it was normal. Every girl went through this. Right? My family physician had wanted me to go on birth control, but just to prevent “baby accidents” from happening, which I quickly dismissed since I had no intention of having sex. Little did I know BCP may have helped with the pain…

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Endo & Ovarian Cysts

February 17, 2015January 7, 2021 | 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.

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Share Your Story : Cyntelle

January 19, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Cyntelle was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 29 years old. Now 32 and living in Savannah, GA, Cyntelle is the mother of a beautiful son. She loves dancing and music, and has recently begun a blog of her own. Cyntelle’s Endo journey is quite a bumpy one…

Cyntelle’s Journey: After I had my son (October 2008), I was still vomiting and had terrible abdominal pain. My belly was swollen to the point that people were asking if I was pregnant again (impossible). December 2008 I went to the ER. The ER doc said I had a kidney infection and possibly an STD. I was a single, black, young mother so of course I had an STD? Right? Wrong. No STD was found and I was 25. Not as young as the high school age they thought I was. I digress. :)They performed lots of tests, I had an ultrasound, everything. The PA suggested I had a small cyst on my left ovary. ER doc stuck with kidney infection. What do I know? I’m no doctor.

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