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Endo for 30yrs+

Thank you, brave women.

First of all, I’ve had pain for as long as I can remember. I’ve had several surgeries and spells of excruciating pain. Cysts are very common for me, I do not go to the hospital. I have ultrasounds that confirm the cysts. I typically have two very bad cysts a year. If you’ve had this for any spell of time, you aren’t surprised to read this. If you are new to this diagnosis, buckle in and find the beauty in things with a very different perspective. You will see life as an asexual person for a great deal of time. Your worth as a human is in your victory and you can more easily let go of the ridiculous cultural expectation that women are sexual objects.

I was in pain all of the time

Since we are talking of 30 years of Endo, the first several doctors I went to as a young woman either didn’t believe that I had pain, or suggested my pain in the psychological. Endo wasn’t a known thing, and when it was known it wasn’t well understood. You can’t wish away endo. I finally went to a good doctor and told her I was in pain all the time. Even going to the bathroom felt like broken glass going through me. I had surgery when I was 35 and after six months, I felt better. I’d get worse, and have surgery. A hysterectomy doesn’t cure endo, so I won’t have one until I am in menopause. I have a few more years to go.

Fast forward to today

Today, I have an IUD and take hormones to slow lesions. I still have a lot of pain but I can work and manage it. I’ve had a couple divorces. I am in a relationship.

The toll on relationships is very hard and endo is a major factor in problems. If you choose to be in a relationship, make it very clear the pain you experience. And know, it is okay to be single.

Endo makes you incredibly strong and uniquely independent. Be good and gentle to yourselves.

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This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The Endometriosis.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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