A Letter To The Girl Newly Diagnosed With Endometriosis

You have known it was not normal for many years. If you’re reading this, you already know something’s off.

Periods are not meant to debilitate you for more than a week every single month.  In some ways knowing you have endometriosis can be empowering for your health and also your fertility.

So, you’ve got the diagnosis. Endometriosis

If your story is anything like mine, you were dismissed, told it’s “just bad periods,” handed a heating pad and an anti-inflammatory that barely touched the pain.

Sound familiar?

I remember the day I got my first period. It was 6th grade, I came home for lunch and saw the blood. I was handed a thick pad and walked back to school for the afternoon.

OK it was the 90’s.         

Within months, the gut-wrenching, curl-up-in-a-ball cramps, headaches, GI issues and brain fog started. I begged my mom to give me a pill to make this end forever.

I was a dancer. Manoeuvring what to wear became difficult. It was embarrassing wearing my tight fitted leotard with the bloating visible from all the inflammation.   

Fast forward to my 20’s – the work meetings were the worst, long winded bosses while I prayed my tampon did not leak and hoping the anti-inflammatory would kick in soon all while pretending to not be distracted.

Why didn’t we talk about our pain?

It wasn’t until I wanted kids that the full impact of this thing hit me like a truck. Turns out, it wasn’t just “bad periods.” It was a full-time job trying to conceive, research, advocate for myself, and fight for the care I deserved.

The good news is we have come a long way since the 90’s in managing the symptoms and impacts of endometriosis. I am lucky to have two amazing kids however the road to this point was not easy or mapped out for me. Endometriosis is a tricky condition that is different for everybody.

Demand the care you deserve. You’re not alone in this fight—there’s a whole army of us out here!

Steps to Take Back Control

Managing endometriosis isn’t easy, but there are actionable steps you can take to regain some power over your health:

1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet

Nutrition plays a significant role in managing endometriosis symptoms. Some foods can ease inflammation and reduce pain during flare-ups:

• Turmeric: Add this anti-inflammatory powerhouse to tea or almond milk.
• Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and Swiss chard are rich in magnesium, which helps with muscle cramps.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in salmon, walnuts, and chia seeds, these fats combat inflammation.
• Berries and Citrus Fruits: Packed with antioxidants to strengthen your body’s defenses.

2.  Heat and Castor Oil

Heat is incredibly helpful in managing your pain. Try adding Castor Oil packs to your abdomen with the heat to relieve cramping and GI pain.

3. Plan for Fertility—Your Way

If you want children—or even if you’re undecided—take charge now. Schedule an appointment or get a referral to a speciality clinic to understand your options. Diagnostics can help you plan for the future, whether you’re ready for kids now or just want to keep the door open.

4. Advocate for Your Care

Push for answers. Demand the care you deserve. It’s not “just bad periods.” Endometriosis is real, and you have the right to proper treatment.  

You’re Not Alone

You are not alone, you are part of a larger community building awareness and advocating for better and sooner treatment options. It is no longer acceptable for women to quietly exit from their life for a week each month in order to manage this condition. There are options for you to take control now as well as plan for the future.