Endometriosis wellbeing day. Education and information.

Let's talk
Endometriosis
It is most common in the pelvis, but it can turn up almost anywhere in the body.
Pelvis (most common)
Ovaries, including cysts called endometriomas
Ligaments supporting the uterus (uterosacral ligaments)
The pouch between the uterus and rectum (pouch of Douglas)
The lining of the pelvis (peritoneum)
Fallopian tubes
Adenomyosis is the related condition where the tissue grows into the muscle wall of the uterus
Bowel and bladder
Rectum, sigmoid colon, appendix, small bowel
Bladder and ureters (the tubes from the kidneys)
Upper abdomen
Diaphragm, usually on the right
Surface of the liver, rarely the stomach, spleen, or pancreas area
Chest
Pleura (the lining of the lungs), lung tissue, and occasionally the airways
Abdominal wall and skin
Caesarean or laparoscopy scars
Belly button
Groin (inguinal canal)
Nerves
Sciatic nerve and pelvic nerves, which can cause cyclical leg or buttock pain
Very rare sites
Kidneys, brain, eyes, nose, and muscle in other parts of the body
How it reaches distant sites isn't fully understood. The main theories are spread through blood or lymph, cells changing type in place, and spread during surgery. This is why surgeons who check beyond the pelvis, including the bowel and diaphragm, are more likely to find it.
Some days, getting out of bed is the bravest thing I do. In 2009 i spoke online to David Redwine who passed away sadly in October 2023 and i had all my surgery with the two
Endometriosis specialists in Birmingham and Liverpool ( excision surgery ) it isn't just "bad periods." For many of us, it's years of being told it's IBS, stress, or something we just have to live with. Many are called mental or told its in their head. I was ! I genuinley thought my endo was gone .
I was wrong the journey carries on years after surgery .
This is why i am Aims Counselling & Aims social impact. I have the passion to support mental wellbeing .
It's tests coming back normal while your body tells you something is still very wrong. It's pain that lands in places no one thinks to look.
I'm still on that journey, even after surgery and years of advocating for myself. So if you're there too, I want you to know this:
Being in pain without answers doesn't make you dramatic, difficult, or weak.
It doesn't make something wrong with you. It means you deserve to be properly heard.
Keep the diary. Ask the questions. Bring someone with you if you can.
And on the days you can't push, rest that is not giving up. i will be gathering endometriosis sufferers and raising money for endometriosis awareness
If this is you, you're not on your own. 💛
#EndometriosisAwareness #InvisibleIllness #ChronicPain #YouAreNotAlone