Let’s talk Endometriosis

Added: 2026-05-27

[00:00:00]Let's talk about endometriosis. Now, we've talked about this a lot on this page, but we can never talk about it enough because it impacts so [snorts] many women. So, we're going to use Queen Lilith here and give a little education lesson. So, what is endometriosis? Because for a long time, we had it wrong. We thought all kinds of things including like retrograde menstruation, it all types of things that led to incorrect diagnosis, improper treatment, and >> [clears throat] >> major problem here is that even still, the average time to correctly diagnose a woman with endometriosis is between 7 and 8 years. That's not only mind-boggling and unacceptable, it's [ __ ] infuriating. We have to do better for a condition that impacts millions and millions of women. So, well, what is it? Let's talk about it.

[00:00:54]First, we're going to go ahead and break her open here.

[00:00:57]Now, endometriosis, this is important because for a really long time, we thought that endometriosis was actually the endometrial lining, which is the lining inside the uterus, growing outside of the uterus.

[00:01:12]But, now we know that it's not actually endometrial tissue. It is endometrial-like tissue, and that it's a very similar tissue, and it does respond to estrogen, and it can actually grow and bleed, which can cause immense pain, pressure, and it can also cause a kind of telltale sign of endometriosis with these lesions is adhesions throughout the pelvis. So, what we see in women with severe stages of endometriosis is these adhesions adhering to the bladder, to the colon and rectum, the entire pelvic floor. We have even seen it where these lesions are impacting the diaphragm and the lungs, the spine, causing pain with breathing and movement. Believe it or not, we have even found endometrial lesions in the brain and this might surprise you in men. Now, how does it get in men? If we're being totally honest, we don't fully understand. We do think that it is some leftover uh tissue essentially from either fetal development or from the mother.

[00:02:19]But, these are all just theories. Why?

[00:02:22]Because God knows we aren't going to study anything that only or mostly only impacts women not enough to give any kind of real solid answer.

[00:02:30]Now, what about treatments? Well, for a lot of people birth control or I would rather call it hormone treatment is an excellent treatment option, but it's not for everyone.

[00:02:44]My big thing here is I do not want women just being told, "Oh, well, it's just a bad period. It's no big deal. Tough it out. Go to work. Make your family dinner." That's [ __ ] And it's part of the reason that it does take 7 to 10 years to get a diagnosis because young girls start complaining about this so early.

[00:03:06]But, everything from their mothers and grandmothers to their teachers, their school nurses, even their health care providers tell them, "Well, this is just a part of life, sweetie."

[00:03:18]in this condescending, internalized, misogynistic tone. Why? Because it's what they were told. But, we can do better.

[00:03:27]Endometriosis is not something that you just need to deal with, tough it out, and suffer through.

[00:03:33]There are options. While there is no cure, there are treatments that can help.

[00:03:39]And if it gets to the point that a hysterectomy is the correct option, then that may be the correct option.

[00:03:46]Whatever's right for you is what I will support as a health care provider and get you the referrals that you deserve.

[00:03:52]Now, I do want to point out getting a hysterectomy does not mean that your endometriosis is gone. If any lesions remain, they may actually continue to grow because endometriosis lesions are actually self-sustaining. They can create their own estrogen through a process called aromatase. Now, that's a loose version of what goes on, but that's why it's important to see a specialist that specializes in endometriosis excision surgeries. Someone who knows what they're doing and specializes in this because that's the level of care that you deserve. Please, let's talk about this in the comment section. What is your experience been?

[00:04:33]What's helped you? What hasn't? How long did it take you to get diagnosed?

[00:04:38]Love you.