Menstrual cycles range from every 23-35 days, length of bleeding 4- 6 days on average, amount = up to 6 tbsp, 2-7 pads or tampons soaked the whole cycle, cramping minimal, ovulation day 10-16, luteal phase 14 days, estrogen spike and fall, progesterone role

Types of protection

• Pads
• Tampons
• Undies
• Cups
• Free bleed

Not dirty, natural and yes you can still have sex

Everyone with endometriosis experiences symptoms differently. Symptoms range along a spectrum including: “killer cramps” to heavy or irregular periods, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and or constipation, pain with urinating, pain during sex, fatigue, brain fog, and infertility.

Some may experience all of these symptoms on a chronic or cyclical basis, while others may experience no symptoms at all. This colorful symptom profile is one of the factors that makes endometriosis difficult to diagnosis.

A diagnosis of endometriosis cannot be confirmed by CT scans, MRIs, or ultrasounds. The abnormal cells need to be collected via biopsy, during a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.

While symptoms can give doctors a suspicion of endometriosis, relying on symptoms alone may lead to misdiagnosis and improper treatment. If you suffer from any of the symptoms previously mentioned, book an appointment to speak to your doctor or a specialist. Preparing for that appointment is vital.

In addition, this ‘non-biopsy approach’ to diagnosis dilutes the research effort; conducting studies on uncertain or induced “endometriosis” leads to uncertain results and hinders progress. 

It is of course prudent to rule out differential diagnoses, but physical examination, imaging and lab studies related to an endometriosis diagnosis commonly have poor sensitivity, specificity and predictive values - and are often operator-dependent.

Hence, they cannot be used alone to confirm a diagnose or rule out the disease.  Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Real talk, real women. No shame.

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