My Uterus Wants Me Dead
Tobias, a 19 year old student, experiences periods that make him think, "my uterus wants me dead." But what could be causing the headaches, the intense pain, the chest pains, the leg cramps, and the longer than average periods? Perhaps, like both Tobias himself and those around him suspect, it's the one of the most under researched and under diagnosed gynaecological conditions?
Endometriosis.
The World Health Organisation (2023) describes the condition as: "A chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, and fatigue."
Tobias has been trying to get his condition diagnosed since he was 13 and is still on a journey he describes as a: "Back and forth between doctors with no end in sight." He is conviced that it is Endometriosis with the way that it greatly impacts his day to day life. He wanted to tell his story.
"The pain symptoms of endometriosis reduce quality of life, with the impact being mainly on physical, rather than mental, health. As symptoms become more severe, quality of life is further reduced."
- World Endometriosis Research Foundation, 2011
Oxford University's research department, EndometriosisCaRe, is one of the leading group of researchers on Endometriosis.
According to a study (2020) conducted by the group, 10% of women experience the condition. However, the University of York (2024) published an article claiming that it can take up to 7 years for someone to be diagnosed due to lack of research and proper eduction on the subject.
"Despite how widespread the condition is, many people find themselves waiting years for a diagnosis and struggling to find support."
- The Vagina Museum Podcast, 2022
Bibliography
Krina T. Zondervan, D.Phil. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0275-9905, Christian M. Becker, M.D., and Stacey A. Missmer, Sc.D. (2020) 'Endometriosis', The New England Journal of Medicine, Issue 382.
World Endometriosis Research Foundation Global Study of Women's Health consortium:. (2011) "Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries', Fertility and Sterility , V.92 Issue 2, 366-373. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.05.090
The Vagina Museum Podcast. (2022) Title Endometriosis: Finding Answers, Getting Support. 22/11. Available at: https://www.vaginamuseum.co.uk/podcast/endo2endometriosis-finding-answers-getting-support.
World Health Organisation (2023) Endometriosis. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis#:~:text=Overview,period%20and%20last%20until%20menopause.
