For years I’d dismissed my severe period pain because I thought it was just something I had to deal with, and that people with conditions such as endometriosis must have it worse than this. Cut to May 2023, I was on my way back from a trip to Italy with a uni friend when I suddenly had a wave of particularly bad period pain. I couldn’t properly stand. Panic, nausea and exhaustion simultaneously flooded my body. As I sat on an airport bench waiting for the pain to subside I thought to myself; ‘something has to change’.
A few months earlier I had mustered up the courage to talk to my GP about various gynecological related symptoms and had been referred to a specialist. My airport experience gave me the push to follow up on this referral, only to discover the wait could be around a year if not more. I needed to do something- the pain meant I couldn’t properly work on my period and everyday tasks were exhausting.
I started to do my own research- I wanted to get to the bottom of whatever was causing my symptoms. I started to wonder more and more whether this could possibly be endometriosis. My growing concern was how I would respond to the main treatment for symptoms related to this condition- the pill. As someone with bipolar disorder, I was concerned that my mood would be affected by taking hormonal treatment.
When I eventually had my appointment with the gynecologist my reaction was a mixed one. Receiving the diagnosis of endometriosis felt incredibly validating- I shouldn’t have dismissed my symptoms as normal, and a medical professional was acknowledging that there was a problem. However, I did feel a little apprehensive about starting the pill. Time will tell how it affects my mood, but hopefully it’ll ease my symptoms and the diagnosis can help me better understand what’s going on with my body. I would encourage anyone with similar symptoms to seek medical help- it could really improve your well-being. Being in severe pain every month isn’t normal!