March is not only Women’s History Month, but it is also a month that aims to bring awareness about an invisible disease.
That disease is Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder where tissue inside the uterus grows on areas outside the uterus, causing intense pain. Those areas could include but aren’t limited to the ovaries, fallopian tubes, tissue lining the pelvis and even tissues behind the pelvic area.
This tissue growing in different areas has the same effect it would if it were inside the uterus. Meaning it goes through the same process tissue inside the uterus does during menstrual cycles. It thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each cycle. Unlike normal menstrual cycles, the blood has nowhere to go.
This can cause other health problems such as cyst formation, varying
levels of pain and scar tissue. This disease affects an estimated one in ten women, according to endometrisosis. org. Typically, women are given medical advice to have surgery that burns off the tissue. However, the tissue eventually grows back, leaving a hysterectomy as another potential option.
Similar to the stigma around mental health, disorders or diseases where
the symptoms aren’t physically seen are brushed off as being fake. I know this seems like an apples and oranges comparison, however, both situations show the value we as a society place on diseases and disorders unseen. Situations where outsiders can’t see the symptoms at first glance are brushed off as being unimportant.
In recent years, women have been speaking up regarding doctors dismissing their symptoms and pain when it comes to their uterus or pelvic pain. Many stories are the same. They come in with immense pain and are told the pain is typical for a period.
From firsthand experience I know how this feels, to be brushed off by doctors for having immense pain regarding my reproductive health. I know countless women who know how this feels. Women are seen as weak and are brushed off when they say they’re in pain. Enough is enough.
Don’t take my story at face value, do research on Endometriosis symptoms and watch videos on women talking about their symptoms. Seeing the pain in their eyes when they recount their stories is enough to convince most that this is an issue that needing exposure.
Women need to have their voices heard regarding issues with their pelvic or reproductive pain, however, it shouldn’t just be on women.
Doctors, physicians, obstetrician- gynecologists and even women’s loved ones need to listen to their concerns.
Endometriosis affects one in 10 women, but we’re told we must keep this a secret. A secret from our employers, loved ones and those around us. We are told this topic is too taboo because it involves our reproductive organs.
We can’t change society in a day.
We need to continue to get past the uncomfortable feelings regarding women’s bodies and what they go through. People need to grow up, it’s the simple truth. Women’s bodies aren’t gross and they should not be shamed. No bodies for that matter should be viewed as gross or shameful.
The prospect of a woman’s natural bodily functions being seen as
taboo isn’t right. We need to talk about these issues and not only just during Endometriosis awareness month.
Nicole Hindberg can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @HindbergNicole.