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

My worst memory was my first ever period which decided to turn up the morning of Year 9 camp that was 4 nights long... with you guessed it many water activities. It was a crash course lesson on how to use a tampon from my mum through the bathroom door 30 minutes before we left for camp and I definitely didn't know how to use them correctly. It was a few years before I started to use tampons again after that experience!

2. 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?

After 10 years of trying, I was diagnosed with stage 4 Endometriosis that had also spread to my bowels. Because it took so long to finally be taken seriously it had spread and got so much worse. When I finally had my surgery and woke up they had told me not only that they had taken out all the endometriosis and part of my bowel that was planned, they also took out section of my vagina, one of my fallopian tubes and also an ovary. 

This was devastating news to hear as now the chances of getting pregnant naturally are almost 0 due to the scar tissue, but also my egg reserve is less than half as I only have one ovary left, I also can never have a natural birth. This news was especially hard as I was then going through the recovery period of surgery which was nearly 3 months off work and trips in and out of hospital from getting sick and my body going on strike.

3. What was your diagnosis experience like?

I had been to the doctors at least once or twice a year since I was 16 to ask my doctors to help my pain, to get scans done and to do something! But all I got told was to change contraceptive pill, and that some women “just have painful periods” which was not really a solution at all.

The only reason I finally ended up being diagnosed was because I had been trying to get pregnant for a year and a half and nothing had happened and I was now 24. I got some testing done, the horrible blue dye test (IYKYK), ultrasounds and then an MRI. They then realised that my case was definitely not a small problem and rather a large one. I got referred to Auckland hospital and to Micheal Wynn-Williams a top surgeon in NZ and Aus for Endo and also a bowel surgeon as my endo was also causing other issues. He took one look at me apologised that I had had to wait so long and that he would help me. I cried the whole way home after the appointment, after finally being told that I wasn’t making it up, that it was real, but also because of was so scared of what was to come.

4 months later I was taken into hospital for an 8 hour operation with both a bowel and endo surgery team. 

4. How has your condition changed your daily life?

Before my surgery, I like many others with Endo would have to have days off school or work as I was vomiting or had such bad cramps that I couldn't be there so missing things at school or missing days off work each month soon adds up. 

Also missing out or being in so much pain that I was no fun on trips away with friends or camping. Missing a week off the gym each period would also be a massive pain as the gym is my happy place and it sucks when training is going great for 3 weeks to then be bed ridden for a week each month!

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

It's really funny, one day in Year 11 food class I had this feeling that I was going to really struggle to have kids and something was wrong with me. I always had this feeling deep down something wasn't right but thought that maybe if I didn't say it outloud it wouldn't come true. But turns out I was unfortunately right!

I had regular cycles and pretty “normal” bleeding but I was just in a lot of pain with stomach cramps and back ache, aswell as headaches and vomiting if it got really bad.

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

The best thing I have used for Period pains would be Naprogesic which you can buy from any pharmacy or chemist warehouse, which is great if you are traveling or aren't expecting your period and are out or away. Another product I have just started using is Blood Sugar Babe By Eve, it has curbed my sugar cravings, helped my skin and is easy to add into your routine!

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

That it is not always something you can see, people can be silently battling and you would have no idea. Just because they haven’t got a serious injury that you can physically see doesn’t mean they are not in pain!

Also that it is okay to talk about, I am so open about my story talking about it at work with colleagues, male and female, making periods and womens health not a scary or gross topic of conversation! People are usually really interested and also have stories to share or other people they know who are going through similar.

Lastly that women’s health not just “the period talk” should be taught in schools. As a primary school teacher to senior students, I have seen first hand how these kids have no education around this topic, let alone college students who may have had a period for a few years like me but be in so much pain but being to afraid to speak up, this is something that needs to change in NZ education!

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

That you were right all along, to keep fighting and you will get the answers and help you need!