Stories of the diagnosis and journey of endometriosis

[Kavyaa]

Hi, I was detected with Polycystic ovarian disease 7 years ago, then with endometriosis around 4 years ago. Ever since I've been struggling to figure out the new normal for me. The birth controls, painful and never ending periods has impacted me mentally and physically massively. I also went through a lot of physical changes from weight gain, pigmentation to excessive hair loss. I always found it hard to reach out and talk about it for some reason. Like, I just couldn't speak about it, like it's my fault. Overtime I've realised how differently and severely it affects so many women. Being a Sustainable Designer, I have decided to do a project to spread more awareness on the topic and reach out to fellow women battling with endo. I figured that it takes upto 7 years to get a diagnosis for a lot of women and that a lot of times their symptoms are ignored or dismissed. Infact my PCOD was diagnosed pretty late as well, before that I had no clue something like that existed. And my endometriosis wasn't detected till i literally collapsed with pain and blood loss. I wonder how the journey of others have been? The whole diagnosis process was it easy or difficult? What has really helped tackle endo and living with it. It would be really great to know people's stories and learn from each other's journey.

Thank you.