1. Let’s start with the classic: What’s your worst, funniest, or most awkward
period story?

 I still remember one day waking up with excruciating abdominal pain, running to the toilet to throw up and calling my parents who were away at the time. I had heard of people experiencing intense pain when having a burst appendix and thought that this must be what was happening. I was dry heaving into the bowl and eventually sat up, thinking I had just peed myself. I then found out this was 'just bad cramps' as my period had started. Probably should've taken this as a sign that something was wrong but I just kept being told it was normal to have bad cramps. 

2. What have you demystified about your female body that you wish you knew
when you were younger?

I have had ALOT of doctors try to tell me that what I was experiencing was stomach pain, not cramps. I even got told that stomach pain can feel like cramps and they seemed so adamant I started thinking my stomach was right next to my uterus. The reality is your stomach and uterus are in different places - your stomach is much higher. 

3. Have you been diagnosed with a women’s health condition? If so, how did you know something wasn’t
right, and what was your journey like to get answers?

I think my journey was really odd to be honest haha. I had always had digestive issues but it wasn't until I went away to India and got a really bad stomach bug that I started looking into it. While everyone else on the trip got better, I seemed to have glandular fever-like symptoms and spent 6 months barely able to last a half day at school. I was covered in eczema, acne and I was always in pain after eating. I ended up being diagnosed with a rare illness from a bacteria I got in the himalayas. We treated it with antibiotics but it came back a few years later (although at the time we thought it was something new). I went to all different doctors, got told I had SIBO and then that my pancreas, ovaries and uterus were all affected by this bacteria. I did an intense diet for roughly a year + took medication. Eventually my stomach and skin healed but this was when I realised a lot of the pain I had been feeling was likely Endometriosis. We did a laparoscopy and I finally got a diagnosis that felt reflective of what I had been experiencing, Stage 4 endo & PCOS.

4. What was your diagnosis experience like?

A lot of my medical history is a blur, I found specialists very tunnel visioned i.e. my SIBO doctor kept dismissing all my endo symptoms or any other symptoms I had - she just kept saying it was SIBO even when I knew something else was going on. I am a big believer in using medication but I also started going to a naturopath who helped me alot. After that, I felt like my body was in a better state to identify something was wrong with my ovaries and uterus so that made it easier to know I needed to go to a gyno. 

5. How has your condition changed your daily life?

HUGELY. I created a really active and social lifestyle to help my mental health. Part of this meant I used to be hugely into running clubs but my endometriosis has gotten worse and I no longer can justify these workouts as they leave me often having flare ups and mean I can never get enough sleep (I need alot). Dropping back from these has been really hard because going to a run club means you could see 20 friends at once, when you stop going, a lot of those connections are lost. I also think I have become very protective of my energy. If we take the spoon theory, I don't have constant energy to put into relationships and so I have to really evaluate who to put time into. I can't be the 'yes' person I want to be because I see physical repercussions when I overextend myself. 

7. Have you tried anything that has helped you manage your symptoms?

I sleep for 8-9 hours every night, sometimes more. This is what has made the biggest difference for me. I also think about actually listening to my body. I used to see fitness girls post online about taking rest days when you need to and I always thought 'oh yeah well they have abs so they CAN justify having a rest day', now I know that's silly. I think as someone who implemented working out for my mental health, it's about finding the sweet spot where you know when to say no to a session. If I was to push through a flareup and force myself to workout, I will feel physically worse later so at that point would it be self care or self harm?

8. What’s one thing you wish more people understood about women’s health?

There isn't much research and we are aware of that. I think most endo girls I know have done as much research as they can, tried all the supplements, the therapys and lifestyle changes. I find it frustrating when someone with perfect health tries to offer solutions. I know it comes from a good place and if its communicated the right way, it's fine but I often have people perplexed by the idea that there isn't a cure and they sit there suggesting I do more yoga or drink peppermint tea like thats going to cure me.

9. If you could tell younger you one thing about your body, what would it be?

Get specific & advocate for yourself. 

10. When your body feels hard to live in, how do you take care of yourself?

Luckily I had really empathetic friends and a great partner. I also have built a great community of endo girlies and I often share tips with them. I think having people understand how frustrating this illness is a great start. Then, I let myself rot when I need to. I also used to follow lots of inspirational active people online and I have started unfollowing them or muting them so I don't feel bad about resting.