I am 1 in 10 females that is suffering from stage 4 endometriosis. This chronic illness  causes debilitating pain among other symptoms. Many women also have to endure multiple surgeries and are left unable to work and yet the illness is not recognized as a disability. If you care about women's health and women's rights, you will work to recognizing endometriosis as the disability it is and help support more research which these women are in such desperate need of. 

Those afflicted with endometriosis can face a lifetime of severe disability and symptoms throughout the entire body, including incapacitating pain, organ failure, several repeat surgeries, infertility, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, increased risk for certain cancers, immune & endocrinologic dysfunction, kidney failure, and damage to multiple organs and tissues, including the bowel, bladder, ureters, diaphragm, muscles, musculoskeletal structures, nerves, ligaments, lungs, and liver. Due to the potential for such widespread, severe chronic symptoms, endometriosis is also one of the leading causes of school absences in teens and women having to end their careers can no longer work.

I believe teens and women should have access to an early diagnostic test for endometriosis and a range of effective treatment options. Early diagnosis is so critical, women have the right to know surgeries, hysterectomy and continued medication that’s toxic is not the answer to treat endometriosis. There’s an urgent need to create progress for endometriosis through medical research.

I was diagnosed with severe Stage 4 Endometriosis 8 years ago when I was rushed to the ER had to have my appendix removed. Prior to that many doctors would tell me it’s nothing to just take Ibuprofen for my pain. I now have had 26 procedures unfortunately more to come and continue to suffer from Stage IV Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, PCOS, Cervical Stenosis, Chronic Pelvic Pain, TB and infertility.

Due to my sever condition I continue to battle the following: 

Inflammation

Irritation and discomfort

Discomfort with bowel movements

Chronic fatigue

Pelvic pain that worsens when I sit or stand, lying down temporarily relieves pelvic pain.

Severe adhesions, in which tissue binds to pelvic and other organs together.

Back pain

Body aches and severe swelling in my legs.

Hypothyroidism

Pain during sexual intercourse

Depression

Anxiety

Insomnia

Infertility

Severe hand pain

Fibromyalgia

Obesity 

Fear of heart attack:

Risk factors for a heart attack in women include: Medical conditions: Those with conditions, including diabetes, obesity, and autoimmune disorders are more likely to have a heart attack. Diseases such as endometriosis, PCOS, or a history of preeclampsia during pregnancy also increase risk.

Our pain is real it’s time for the United States to stand with other countries and recognize endometriosis as a disability, there’s NO CURE, make it mandatory for all health care coverage to include better plans and unlimited infertility treatments. This is our right enough is enough.