Endometriosis: How I felt after diagnosis revealed root of my over 20 years of excruciating pain – By Zainab Balogun

This time last year I was reminded that it was Endometriosis Awareness month. After a year I wasn’t ready to share. Stage 4 Endometriosis they said.

I took this picture just after I noticed I was losing my hair as a result of treatment. It took a lot not to burst into tears because I love my hair! To see batches of it in my hands stung. It still does but we’re gonna get it back.

I was really happy to finally have an accurate diagnosis because it meant I finally knew the root of twenty-something years of excruciating pain. I liken the pain to someone taking a barbed wire to your insides and twisting it continuously for days on end. It’s not mere period cramps, aches or discomfort. It’s a vicious pain!

Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. It’s an unseen chronic condition that is often misdiagnosed. It doesn’t get enough attention or research. Endometriosis is when tissue lining the uterus grows outside of it. Endo lesions can form everywhere from the lungs, intestines, ovaries, Fallopian tubes and more.

There is no cure for Endometriosis but medical intervention allows women to live somewhat of a normal life by managing symptoms. So this post is about encouraging women to seek answers for the little and big pains they feel. Is it a missed period, fibroids, heavy cycles, naval bleeding, hormone imbalance, fertility issues. Whatever it is, you can’t be afraid to pursue it for a healthier life. Don’t dismiss your pain ladies and get a Gynaecologist that cares!

Pic 1: After a tough morning trashing bundles of my hair, I was finally able to smile.

Pic 2: Incision sites from the laparoscopic surgery.

Pic 3: I was coming off my first Zoladex implant treatment. I was tired, anxious and used to lose/ mispronounce my words. I could see the word in my head but the fog took forever to clear and so did the words.

Pic 4: Getting my second dose of the Zoladex implant treatment which gradually dissolved in my body and left me without a cycle for a year. The implant had many difficult side effects but it was worth it.

P.S for more info on Endometriosis or my stories, I’ll be sharing content from my talks answering some questions.