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

Waay too many of these but it would have to be when I first got my period. I was flying from Wellington to Christchurch which included an hour and half drive from Masterton where I grew up, to Wellington airport. I got my period just before we were about to leave home so I grabbed one of Mum's super Tampax applicator tampons. Halfway over the hill I was feeling uncomfortable, I couldn't understand how women could use these every month! The discomfort was horrendous, I started to feel worse on the plane. I found out you were meant to remove the cardboard applicator not leave it in!!

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

That you can't get pregnant anytime of the month and period pain is NOT always normal!

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

I have been diagnosed with Stage 4 Advanced Endometriosis and Adenomyosis which have resulted in four surgeries so far. 

I was on the pill from 14 as my periods were heavy and painful, I also had bad skin as well as bowel issues which coincidentally are symptoms of Endometriosis.  Although the pill masked most symptoms, I was still experiencing a lot of discomfort so my GP did would change the pill and tell me it would get better. This went on for years, thankfully when I moved to Wellington, I had a great female GP and I was also fortunate to have had medical insurance too. When I was 20 my GP referred me to a Gynecologist which led to my first laparoscopy and official diagnoses of Endometriosis. 

4. What was your diagnosis experience like?

From initial symptoms to diagnosis it was roughly 7 years, I guess I didn't have the confidence or knowledge to keep pushing with my GP and rather accepted whatever medication he prescribed in the hope that it would eventually get better. I was a teenager in the 90's, there was no internet, only magazines like Cosmopolitan, Dolly who glamourised periods and never spoke of the reality.  It wasn't until I moved to Wellington and had a female GP that she asked more questions about my symptoms and arranged for the referral to a Gynaecologist. 

5. How has your condition changed your daily life?

As someone who hates to miss out, I desperately tried not to let my period interfere with my life. However, once I came off the pill in my thirties my symptoms were no longer masked and my periods were once again awful. A few days before my period I always feel pretty rough, then once I get my period it's brutal. I take a cocktail of pain relief to function including tramadol, codeine, naproxen and Panadol. The worst is when it coincides with an event or a social occasion, as I am so distracted by the pain and discomfort. I am either checking when my next pain relief is due or making sure I haven't bled through my clothes. Once it is over I feel a huge sense of relief but I am so depleted of energy. I have a week where I feel great, no bloating and then the cycle starts again.

I have hardly ever missed work even though I have days where I have to vomit in the bathroom, extreme hot flushes and use a hot water bottle telling colleagues it's for my back pain. It's ridiculous, but the guilt you feel for taking a day off because you have your "period" is real.

The most significant impact on my life would have to be my experience with infertility. We underwent 6.5 years of IVF which included 3 rounds of egg collection, 3 miscarriages, 11 embryo transfers and multiple surgeries and tests. To date my infertility is still unexplained" although, it's assumed that Endometriosis and Adenomyosis most certainly has a large part to play in my ability to fall pregnant naturally. Our experience with IVF has had an impact on almost every part of our lives as the emotional, physical and financial toll is significant. However, we are incredibly lucky as we now have a one year old daughter and will be forever grateful to the wonderful team at Fertility Associates Wellington.

6. What symptoms made you think something wasn’t right with your body?

I guess once you starting talking about periods with our friends as you get older, you realise that what you're experiencing isn't perhaps "normal". For me the super heavy bleeding, intense bowel pain and subsequent irregular bowel motions, extreme bloating, nausea - it was a lot. Weirdly they don't all happen together, and not always when I have my period. I am sure my friends thought I was exaggerating with pain and symptoms, so as time went on you just silently managed it. When I was first diagnosed 20 years ago, I only really had 2/3 of the 10 most common symptoms so I was hesitant that I even had it. 

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

One of the first things my surgeon mentioned to me in my early twenties was the relationship between diet and managing endometriosis, in particular avoiding foods that cause inflammation. I was on your typical student diet of the early 2000s being pasta, carbs, unhealthy fats, energy drinks (to pull an all nighter for uni), lots of salty food as well as the obligatory nights out. Following my first surgery I never had another energy drink, I started having breakfast and I became more conscious of how certain foods affected me at certain times of the month. It wasn't until after my second surgery that I started to do more research and educate myself about Endometriosis and gut health. I used a Fertility Dietitian while going through IVF too, who gave me some great insights into how food can impact both male and female infertility as well as women's health conditions. 

For me exercise also plays a super important role in my ability to manage my endometriosis symptoms. Having lost 10kg in my early thirties was something that most certainly made me aware of how much easier my body could cope with internal trauma and inflammation that my period caused each month.  I have tried, and will continue to try anything to help alleviate symptoms so I am less reliant on heavy pain medication.

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

That the pain and symptoms associated with women's health conditions are real and are not to be overlooked. No two women that are diagnosed will experience the same symptoms, but the impact on their quality of life can be debilitating. 

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

Having many friends with teenage girls, this is often on my mind! Trust your gut always, if something doesn't feel right then get help or find someone you trust to confide in. The earlier the intervention the better. 

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

Having had 4 surgeries for Endo, 2 surgeries following miscarriages and a C-section I am in awe and so proud at what our bodies can withstand, they are truly incredible!

Be grateful and take time to appreciate all the little things, knowing the tough times will pass. 

Say no, don't try and be everything to everyone, give yourself space and time to rest when you need it.