Kocas, H. D., Rubin, L. R., & Lobel, M. (2023). Stigma and mental health in endometriosis. European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology: X, 19, 100228. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurox.2023.100228
“The time spent searching for a diagnosis along with the debilitating and unpredictable nature of the disease, endometriosis leads to significant disruptions in multiple domains of life”
I am sure you did not need that peer reviewed medical journal to tell you that. I’m sure you know very well what it is like to fight for your life everyday while the world looks at you and tells you to smile. Everyone has their own troubles, mine are just that I am suffering from a chronic illness no one cares about, and that is explicitly associated with women’s mental health. It’s shameful, really.
The article goes on to discuss how treatment options are minimal and often do not relieve pain; not to mention the fact that the endometriosis grows back anyway. When I look back and remember all the years I sat in doctor’s offices crying and begging for relief only to be met with an 800 mg ibuprofen script. It’s absolutely laughable.
They then go on to hypothesize that general misogyny and menstruation stigma add to that of Endo. Well, no shit Sherlock, men hate women and menstruation and anything having to do with our uterus.
What bothers me the most is that it is not a fucking reproductive disease! They give women total hysterectomies and they still have it grow. There are people who have died from it wrapped around their lungs and hearts. They’ve even found it in a man’s arm!!!! What the fuck are we doing here, someone help. We need answers. 1 in 10 women. And you know it’s more. I personally know a ridiculous amount of women that have it, in all different stages. That’s why I am so exhausted by all of this. I’m tired of being given ER hallway beds and IV drips and “chin up, kid”s and all this pity and no reward, no connections, no friends.
I’m exhausted by the lack of care from every angle. This is not an attack, don’t feel defensive. If I’m offered support- I’m apprehensive. I am only angered by all this rejection. From advisors and mentors and hologram projections. Who cares about scientific journals when I’m right here in front of you. I’m burning my stomach inside and out. I don’t know what’s left for me anymore, I have nothing but doubt.
chronic-illness depression endometriosis health life love mental-health wander wellness womens-health writing
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