Thessy Kouzoukas, creative director and co-owner of SaboSkirt, recently posted about the impact living with endometriosis has on her life. In a candid and heartfelt post to her 100K+ Instagram followers, she recounts her experience of having a ruptured cyst and talks about the havoc the hormones she’s taking have wreaked on her body.
Kouzoukas wanted to reach out to her community and help other women who suffer from the same condition and most importantly, make sure that they know that they are not alone.
Some of the women who have commented on Kouzoukas’ posts give tips based on their experiencing managing their own endometriosis, however, many others write about their feelings of helplessness when doctors are unhelpful or because they have not found a way to manage the condition in their own bodies.
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Endometriosis is one of the most common medical conditions that affect women, yet, relatively few people know about it and many women remain undiagnosed and untreated.
Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that lines the uterus is also found in other areas of the body. In the uterus, this lining is shed monthly during menstruation, however, when this tissue is present in other areas, there is no way for it to leave the body. The condition can present anywhere in the pelvic cavity.
Physicians estimate that up to 176 million women worldwide are living with endometriosis and yet, many women report doctors telling them the pain they are experiencing is simply in their minds.
Women who suffer from severe menstrual pain are all too familiar with how extreme it can be, especially when none of your normal tricks are helping to mitigate it.
The main symptom that women should be aware of is pelvic pain, especially if it is occurring outside the normal menstrual cycle and reaching debilitating levels.
Additionally, women who have the condition may feel pain during sex or when using the toilet. Ultimately, endometriosis can contribute to infertility due to the ovaries being affected by the condition.
If you suffer from these symptoms, be sure to speak to your doctor about your concerns. You can also contact the Thomson Fertility Centre or the KK Women's and Children's Hospital both of which have dedicated endometriosis clinics.
Sources: Endometriosis.org, Mayo Clinic, National University Hospital Women's Centre