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Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Hello there,
As shared in the previous post, part of the reason why I wanted to set up this site was to share about my experience being diagnosed with endometriosis – at the grand old age of 35 no less!
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder, and other pelvic organs. This tissue continues to act as it normally would during the menstrual cycle – thickening, breaking down, and bleeding – but since it has no way to exit the body, it can cause inflammation, severe pain, scar tissues (adhesions) and fertility problems.
Facts on Endometriosis
According to the World Health Organisation, endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally. There is currently no known cure for endometriosis and treatment is usually aimed at controlling symptoms. 5 to 50% of women with infertility, and up to 60% of women with chronic pelvic pain suffer from endometriosis, and Asian women are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with endometriosis than white women.
How I got Diagnosed?
Studies have shown that it takes seven to 10 years on average for endometriosis to be diagnosed after symptoms appear, and women with the condition see an average of seven doctors for it. Following my diagnosis, this was a common story that I read on Reddit (r/endometriosis) and it is absolutely heartbreaking.
I am super thankful to be largely asymptomatic. Some women suffer from severe pains, extremely heavy period and more. A couple years ago, I developed a ~3cm cyst on my left ovary, but in 2024, it started growing rapidly to 5cm in less than 6 months. It was then diagnosed to be an endometrioma or chocolate cyst (i.e. a cyst filled with blood) and I was offered options to either observe and go in for regular scans or go on hormonal treatments. At 5cm big, getting a cyst laparoscopy to remove it was also an option.
Read: Living with Endometriosis – An illustrated guide by artist Justyna Green
Ultimately, as a worse case scenario person, I opted for a cyst laparoscopy as I was getting increasingly bothered by the ovary once it got larger, mainly with soreness on my left ovary. I was also worried about ovarian torsion, a medical emergency, where the ovary twists on its supporting ligaments and cuts off the blood supply. Having been to the ER previously due to a traffic accident, there’s no way I’d willingly open myself to the possibility of a medical emergency if I can plan to avoid it.
Looking back, there were perhaps some early warning signs. I had some pelvic pain, occasional heavier flow, pain during orgasm and chronic fatigue. For the physical pains, I had thought it was attributed to my injury from the traffic accident. I didn’t know that there was something more.
The laparoscopy confirmed the endo diagnosis, and my doctor removed all visible lesions she could find. As much as I wish to say that was the end of my endo journey, it was only the beginning. Right after the cyst laparoscopy, I felt good, really good. It was like the brain fog I never knew not to exist lifted. I felt energised. I felt new. Two weeks later I started on the GnRH treatment and truly, it’s been so difficult since then.
Stay tuned for the next post, where I’ll dive further into my treatment, and how I am doing now living with endo!
