Share Your Story : Marixsa

January 14, 2016January 6, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Marixsa is a fellow blogger and Endo advocate. She was diagnosed when she was 28 years old. Now 33, her story is a heartbreaking, yet encouraging, one. Almost two decades of suffering without a diagnosis, being told she was exaggerating, living in fear of intimacy, missed diagnoses (not misdiagnosis…but literally doctors not seeing her Endometriosis while in surgery), followed by a myriad of additional surgeries, emotional rollercoasters, fertility treatments, and miscarriage. Although scarred, Marixsa is truly a strong and beautiful Warrior, rich in faith and determination. She continues to fight, for herself and for other EndoSisters. And I hold her among my heroes.

Marixsa’s Journey: Like so many women, endometriosis affected me years before I was diagnosed. It’s been quite a journey, which is why this section is so long. Here’s where this road has taken me:

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It hurts to have sex…

January 13, 2016December 31, 2020 | 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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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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The Wurn Technique : Improve Infertility and Adhesion Pain?

September 18, 2015January 7, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

Have you heard of the Wurn Technique? I hadn’t until a few weeks ago when I received an email from Clear Passage with links to a recently-published study showing the Wurn Technique can improve infertility issues, as well as reduce Endometriosis pain. Are they claiming to cure Endometriosis? Not at all. But they are claiming their technique may help reduce your pain and may increases your chances of becoming pregnant. So, curious as I was, I read up on it, asked questions, and now I present this information to you!

Personal Note: I am not endorsing Clear Passage or the claims made in these studies or their webpage. I am simply pointing you, the curious reader, in a direction you may not have located otherwise. Always, always, ALWAYS do your own research. And choose a treatment that feels right for you. If you have any questions about the Wurn Technique, please reach out to Clear Passage by email or 1 (352) 336-1433. They will answer your questions and, if you so desire, schedule a phone consultation with one of their therapists (for free) to see if this is a viable treatment option for you.

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Endometriosis & The Lungs

March 25, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

I’ve read bits and pieces here and there that Endometriosis can grow on or inside of your lungs. An EndoSister had posted in one of the many Facebook support groups that I follow that she has Endo on her lungs, which causes her to cough up a lot of blood. Others replied that they have it as well, but it leaves them in the hospital with collapsed lungs every month. Which got my juices flowin’ to find the documented cases of Endometriosis on the lungs, how it was excised (if at all), etc. Here goes! This is NOT meant to scare you. Just educate us all, including myself.

Endometriosis is usually found within the pelvic cavity, but has also been known to be found northward and latching onto the liver and diaphragm. It has also been found on the membranes surrounding the lungs and heart. Even rarer, it has been found on the brain, in the lymph nodes, and on the eyes.

Thoracic or Pulmonary Endometriosis is when Endometriosis implants/adhesions are found in your thoracic region, and can be found on your trachea, bronchi, diaphragm, lungs, or heart. It was first medically documented in 1953. Today, we focus on the lungs.

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Share Your Story : Ginny

February 10, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

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.

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Signs & Symptoms of Endometriosis

February 5, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

Many people born with a uterus have Endometriosis and don’t even know it. They may be cis-gender, transgender, non-binary, or others. And there have been rare instances of men developing Endometriosis, too. I sure didn’t know what it was until I received my diagnosis. I’d never even heard of it. Endo-what?

So what are the red flags of Endometriosis? If I only knew about this list prior to my diagnosis, I would have gone to my doctor years ago! I met every single one of these symptoms!! Every. Single. One.

You may have Endometriosis if you have any of the following issues:

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Share your Story : Aubree

January 29, 2015December 31, 2020 | Bloomin' Uterus

A woman with brown hair sitting cross-legged in a park

Aubree was 29 when she was diagnosed with Endometriosis. Now 33, she lives in Colorado and has found not only acceptance of her disease, but peace. And she’s found her healing through self-love and a natural holistic approach. She has even written a book about her journey and her path to inner-peace and healing.

Aubree’s Journey: I suffered with extremely painful periods from the very beginning. I complained about them for years to my doctors, but nobody really paid them much attention. One of my family doctors prescribed me Ibuprofen, but this didn’t touch the pain.

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Share Your Story : Nikkia

January 9, 2015January 1, 2021 | Bloomin' Uterus

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.

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