Endometriosis Awareness Month!

Happy Endometriosis Awareness Month!

Photography: Martin Studio Photography

This is such a special month for me!  I can’t wait to share, celebrate, inform, and shed a few tears with my fellow Endo Girls.

What is Endometriosis?

According to Endo-Online, Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects at least 6.3 million women and girls in the U.S. 1 million in Canada, and millions more worldwide. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus — usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites of these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh and other locations.

Endometriosis is a lifetime journey. And for those women who walk the path know that you are not alone. To all the other women out there who are dealing with painful cycles and don’t know why, this is the time to start asking questions to your doctor about it. There are a lot of women who go undiagnosed. Because, not all doctors welcome the idea of doing a Laparoscopy to find out what is going on.

How to Celebrate Endometriosis Awareness Month

No matter where you are in your endometriosis journey, here are a few ways to celebrate, connect with othere and spread awareness during the month:

1. Attend an endometriosis conference. One of my favorite conferences to attend is the Endo Black Conference. 
2. Take a walk with your endo sisters. The Endo March was one of my first marches, and I am still connected to some of the women I meet throughout the years.
3. Wear yellow. I love wearing a yellow flower pin, and it was a great conversation starter. You will be surprised how many other women will share that they are dealing with menstrual pain when you open up about your journey.
4. Connect with others on social media. There are so many Facebook accounts around endometriosis that is a great for connecting and growing with others on your journey.

About Endometriosis Video

Here is a quick video about endometriosis.

Here are a few past posts about my Endometriosis Journey:

My Endometriosis Pain Deserves Awareness

5 Things you need to know about Endometriosis

Endometriosis Drugs — My purge

March Rewind — My story and Facts