Share Your Story : Dimples

A smiling baby and text that reads People with dimple have a divine role in this universe: smile

Dimples, who wishes to remain anonymous, was diagnosed with Endometriosis when she was 20.  Now 21 and living in Cincinnati, Ohio, she’s started her EndoJourney last year.  She’s also recently started her Blog, EndoAnonymous.  And now she shares her story with us .

Dimple’s Journey: Hi! My code name is Dimples. ( my blog is anonymous). Starting to write this post has made me realize that sometimes I still operate in the “denial” stage of acceptance. Anyway it’s pretty obvious my diagnosis is still rather fresh, my Endo was found because my body has a surprising ability to produce large cysts on a whim. My periods had always been a little… off. My mother being the only female in the house and uncomfortable talking about these things assured me, the pain was normal even as it got worse, that the large clots happen, that some women’s periods were simply heaviers.

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Share Your Story : Andy

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.

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Share Your Story : Courtney

A woman with brown hair wearing sunglasses

Courtney lives in Canada, and was diagnosed with Endometriosis a year ago, when she was 28 years old.  Now 29, Courtney makes beautiful jewelry and donates a portion of her sales to Canadian charities that deal with Endometriosis and other women’s health issues.

Courtney’s Journey:  I’m a pretty private person for the most part, and the thought of sharing my personal medical history on the internet was something that took a great deal of careful consideration on my part. But the more research I do, the more I find that the reluctance of women to share their stories is in part due to the fact that they have often spent years repeating their very personal medical details and symptoms to doctor after doctor, without getting the treatment they need. In many cases, these women are told that this is their “burden as a woman” or worse, not having their concerns taken seriously at all and told that – since the doctor can’t see anything wrong – it must be “in their head”. As personal as it is, I think it’s important for women who feel comfortable enough to do so, to share their story; if not online, at least to their family and friends, so that they may help raise awareness about this disease and help women get the care they deserve!

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