Endometriosis and trauma

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, an important time to raise awareness about this painful and often debilitating condition. Endometriosis affects an estimated 176 million people worldwide, and yet it remains widely misunderstood and underdiagnosed.

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, leading to pain, inflammation, and scarring. Symptoms can include painful periods, chronic pelvic pain, painful intercourse, and infertility. Endometriosis can be a difficult condition to diagnose, as there is no single definitive test for it, and symptoms can be similar to other conditions.

One of the biggest difficulties that patients with endometriosis face is getting a diagnosis. It can take an average of 7-10 years for a person with endometriosis to be diagnosed, and during that time they may see multiple doctors and specialists, and undergo numerous tests and procedures. This can be frustrating and exhausting, as patients often feel like their symptoms are not being taken seriously, or that they are not being listened to.

Even once a diagnosis is made, patients may struggle to find adequate support and treatment. Endometriosis is a chronic condition that requires ongoing management, but there is no cure for it. Treatment options may include pain management, hormone therapy, and surgery, but what works for one patient may not work for another. Patients may need to try different treatments and combinations of treatments before finding something that helps manage their symptoms.

Additionally, endometriosis can be an invisible condition, meaning that patients may not "look sick" on the outside. This can make it difficult for others to understand the severity of their symptoms and the impact that endometriosis has on their daily lives. This lack of understanding and empathy can lead to feelings of isolation and shame, and can contribute to the trauma that many patients with endometriosis experience.

The trauma of living with endometriosis can be profound. Patients may experience physical trauma from the pain and inflammation caused by the condition, as well as emotional trauma from the difficulty of getting a diagnosis, the lack of support, and the impact on their daily lives. This trauma can lead to mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

It's important to raise awareness about endometriosis and the difficulties that patients face. By increasing understanding and empathy, we can help reduce the stigma and shame that patients may feel, and provide a more supportive environment for those living with endometriosis. If you or someone you know is living with endometriosis, reach out for support from a healthcare provider, support group, or mental health professional. You don't have to go through this alone.

If you want to begin to process your experience and heal the traumatic memories, get in touch to see if 3 step rewind can help.