So Ovary It: Living with Endometriosis, Adenomysis, and PCOS

Women's health is a multifaceted domain that encompasses various conditions and challenges. Among the many complex conditions affecting women, three often misunderstood and frequently misdiagnosed disorders stand out: endometriosis, adenomyosis, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). These conditions can significantly impact a woman's quality of life and reproductive health, yet they often go unnoticed or are mistakenly attributed to other causes, taking up to, and sometimes over, 7-8 years to even diagnose. In this blog, I want to try and shed light on these enigmatic trio, exploring their symptoms, causes, and available treatment options. Whilst I am no doctor, this is very much a cathartic exercise for me to share my own experiences, and some of the things I wish I had known sooner. Only by talking more and connecting can we really look to destigmatise these common conditions, that effect so many women globally. Endometriosis: Endometriosis is a chronic condition that occurs ...

  Ah, the holiday season – a time of joy, festivities, and the occasional stress-induced meltdown. I've never been a huge fan of Christmas, even before chronic pain took over my life. While everyone else is busy decking the halls, drinking too much Baileys (because it's Christmas after all!), or fighting Susan for the last Turkey Crown in Tesco, those of us with chronic illnesses know that the season comes with its own set of challenges and can be a serious drain on our metaphorical spoons. Normally, I like to get dressed up over the holidays but last year, I was bloated, exhausted, in fluctuating amounts of pain. So out of the window went the high heeled boots and glittery jumpsuit and in came the fluffy teddy bear onesie and cuddles with my dog, Jess. And it was the best decision I made. Whilst suffering with chronic pain, I had found some level of comfort. Everyone will have their own ways to manage their health over the holidays, because everyone's needs are entirely d...

When I was diagnosed with endometriosis, I had no idea what it was. Similarly, when I was later diagnosed with adenomyosis, I also had no clue what that was either. They sounded similar, but how were they different? Information on adenomyosis was limited, and I wasn't sure how it impacted or effected the endometriosis, if at all.  While they share some similarities, it is crucial to understand that they are distinct conditions with their own characteristics. I wanted to dive deeper into the world of adenomyosis, exploring what it is, how it differs from endometriosis, its symptoms, impact on quality of life, available treatments, and ways we can support people dealing with this condition. Hopefully, if more people are aware of this condition, they can get the help and support they need, faster. Understanding Adenomyosis Adenomyosis is a gynaecological condition characterised by the presence of endometrial tissue, which normally lines the uterus, growing deep into the myometrium (mu...