Being open and honest about my health condition in college, I have been asked some weird questions and tend to explain the same things over and over. This is because people don’t know anything about chronic illness. But let me clue you in on one thing, we don’t like having to explain things over and over. So here are the things I am tired of explaining about endometriosis:
1. What it is.
Endometriosis is a disease where the lining of the uterus is found outside of the uterus. It effects about 1 of every 10 women. It is actually pretty common, but no one knows about it.
2. Why I can't just take a Pamprin.
If you read a Pamprin box, it say it is designed to "treat the discomfort of cramps." Discomfort from cramps is not the same as feeling like a tiny knife is stabbing you repeatedly in the uterus. Plus, we probably can’t even keep the medication down because we are so nauseated.
3. Why I get help from the DRC (disability resource center).
It is a disease that can leave some women to be unable to work. So I’m actually pretty lucky that I can live a somewhat normal life.
4. Why I can't drink after I take my pain killers.
Oh, do you drink when you take narcotics?
5. Why my heating pad is my best friend.
Imagine being stabbed in the stomach repeatedly, now try to function with that amount of pain. If something as small as a heating pad will help, I’m all in.
6. Why I don’t want to go home with a random guy.
Hook ups in college are practically a right of passage, but for someone with endometriosis, it's not all fun and games. A very common symptom for endo is painful sex. So when women with endo do have sex, we want to make sure the person we are sleeping with understands this. So, no random guy at the bar, I’m not going home with you.
7. Why when we have to go to the bathroom, it's not negotiable.
A lot of women, including myself, had endo on their bladders. So, until we go to the bathroom, we are in a whole bunch of pain.
8. Why I am always sick.
When a person with endo or any chronic illness is having a rough time with their symptoms, they call it a flare. But I’m not about to explain that to people, so I use the term sick. So then I’ll actually get sick with a cold and continue to tell people I’m sick. So it sounds like I get a whole bunch of colds, but in reality, I am just lazy.
9. Why don’t you always show up to class.
When you show up after being stabbed in the uterus, then come talk to me.
10. Why I am always tired.
You know that one time you had that terrible flu, and getting out of bed made you exhausted? I live in that state everyday.
So, please if you meet someone with endometriosis, don’t be stupid.
