Moving forward 

I knew what endometriosis was at a very early age, as my mother's cousin was diagnosed at the age of 19. At nine years of age, I barely understood this frightening condition, but it remained throughout my teenage years, a source of extreme fear.

At the unfortunate age of 10 years old, my periods started. Right from the start I experienced problems. The pain was so severe that I stayed home, curled in bed for three days a month. From the age of 12, I began fainting around ovulation time. Buckled over with pain, I would black out, often coming to with grazes and bruises - I even split my head open one time.

My mother took me to many doctors, and I received a variety of diagnoses, but no one really gave us any answers. I was diagnosed with kidney infections, UTIs, constipation - one doctor even suggested to my mum that I had severe emotional problems and was faking it to get attention. I was tested for epilepsy and gall stones and even prepped for surgery to remove my appendix (thankfully they figured out that was not the problem in time). Endometriosis was always in the back of my mind, but I was too frightened to mention it to my doctors. For many years, I just stopped complaining, and dealt with the pain. The fainting subsided and I attempted to get on with my life.

Then I met my partner, whom I've now been with for three years. He refused to accept that my monthly pain was a normal part of life. He pushed me to go back to the doctors and demand further investigation. More ultrasounds and blood tests later, I was referred to a specialist, who upon hearing about my past decade worth of problems, booked me in for a laparoscopy. After four months on a waiting list and two hours worth of surgery, at age 22 I awoke to discover my cousin's illness was now also my own.

My partner and I are now trying to fall pregnant as we do not wish to run the risk of waiting, and possibly never having children. This diagnosis, despite frightening, has made me realise that despite being called so by many of my teachers, peers and family members, I was not a hypochondriac. My pains and problems were, and are, very real, and very serious. I now understand all the things I went through growing up. I am hopeful that, although it damaged a lot of my childhood experiences, I can move forward, learn to live with endometriosis, and have a family of my own. I just hope my daughters don't have to suffer as I have.

I wish that the doctors my mum took me to had taken the time to look further into what was going on with my body, instead of simply dismissing me as a young girl crying for attention. Early diagnosis, intervention, and management could have saved both myself, and my family, a lot of grief.

Content Updated June 26, 2008