It has been six to seven years since I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Endometriosis. I daresay I had it undiagnosed for many years prior. I had just turned 16 and I had returned from the Philippines where I contracted giardia and was violently ill.
Around this time, my already uncomfortable periods became unbearable. I would be curled up in a ball on the ground in the foetal position and it felt like I was being stabbed repeatedly in the uterus. It was hard to move or do anything. There was clotting, unbelievable stomach cramps, bloating and a variety of other issues which I won’t go into in detail. I was generally hating on life.
For those who don’t know what endometriosis is, it’s when the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It can be incredibly painful and the signs and symptoms can vary between individuals but common symptoms are chronic pain while menstruating and at various times within the cycle, and infertility. Bladder and bowel problems can also occur depending on where the endometrium attaches itself.
The quick intervention of my gynaecologist when I was 17 and the laparoscopy that followed was just the kind of quick action required. When I had another laparoscopy earlier this year, I was delighted to hear that there was no new endometrial growth outside of my uterus and that the pain I was still experiencing would most likely be from the scar tissue left behind from my previous surgery.
As there is no cure for endometriosis, it could start to grow back again at any time, but at the moment I’m in the clear. My periods are still incredibly painful and I still, under the advice of my gynaceologist, skip my period and only get it a couple of times a year and for now it seems to be working.
I’m one of the lucky ones. There are many others who suffer from endometriosis who aren’t so lucky. It affects every aspect of their lives including their relationships and working situations. Living with unpredictable and debilitating pain is no walk in the park. Feeling fine one second and doubling over in pain the next can make social engagements tricky to navigate, let alone just being able to work.
There’s also the knowledge that there is now a 30% chance you could be infertile. As someone who so desperately wants children someday, I feel a fair bit of anxiety about the fact that there is a chance it may not happen for me. I know there is a 70% chance that all will be fine, but it’s got to be ‘not fine’ for some and I could easily be part of that percentage.
Knowing how painful it is and knowing that I have it on a much smaller scale than some makes me even more determined to see the drug Visanne available for sale in Australia. Visanne was developed especially for people suffering with endometriosis to reduce pelvic pain and inflammation and is currently prescribed to endometriosis sufferers in Canada, Europe, Brazil, South Africa, and Japan. Lyn Freedman started this change.org petition which has garnered a fair bit of media attention asking for Bayer (the manufacturers of the drug) to make it available for sale in Australia and New Zealand. It was approved by the TGA in 2010 but hasn’t gone further than this as Bayer don’t believe there is enough demand to make it worthwhile importing.
As 1 in 10 Australian women suffer from endometriosis, myself included, I think it’s high time it was approved for sale. If you agree, please consider signing this petition to help ease the suffering of so many.
Do you have any experience with endometriosis? Have you signed the petition?
