From Michele:
In life, we have no idea what will happen next. We just go day by day, minute by minute, second by second, etc. just living our lives the best we could. But in an instant second, life can change for better or worse.
Today, hear from Hina, a brilliant physician, mom, and wife who struggled with painful periods for the majority of her life. One late diagnosis of endometriosis resulted in her inability to conceive children. That one diagnosis changed her life.
Thankfully, since that time, and by ways of a surrogate, she has since welcomed two children, She utilizes her late diagnosis to help and educate teenagers about fertility.
Pretty amazing, huh?
When I was a young girl, I played “mom” often, mothering my 7-years younger sister & various cousins.
When I was a teen, after starting my periods, I had pain so wicked, I spent days each month with the school RN or at home. I remember thinking I would do *anything* to get the painful/heavy periods to stop. A Pediatric & Adolescent Gyn in KC literally saved my adolescence by starting birth control pills to ‘fix’ my periods.
When I was a college student, I managed with these pills, Motrin, heating pads, acupuncture/pressure, mindfulness & yoga. I planned trips, assignments, exams, & social outings all around my period.
When I was a medical student, on learning about endometriosis, I thought, hey this sounds familiar. But, I guess I am mild because I ‘can still function.’
But I still remember pain so intense, & the need to pretend I was ok to ‘save face’ which led me to smile through gritted teeth and keep my tears to myself.
However, when I was a Pediatric resident, I began to worry about age-related fertility decline. I had heard that women can easily get pregnant with IVF ‘into their 40s’ and was even guided to delay childbearing as it is ‘incompatible’ with being in training.
When I was a Pediatric sub-specialty fellow, I got married & delayed trying till I was 32, because I wanted to enjoy being married.
When I went off birth control, the pain came raging back, an endometrioma popped up on my ovary, but I was told ‘just keep trying.’
And then it didn’t work. And then my dream of being a mother also just didn’t work.
I became the ‘lonely’ infertile pediatrician as I plugged away at cycle after cycle, navigating the landmines of birth announcements & cute babies at work. Sharing my woes felt taboo, selfish.
I was an infertility warrior for 5 years, countless IVF cycles, and my story ends, with two deeply loved children via surrogacy. And I am now a board member of the North American Society of Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology and a training director for our Adolescent Medicine fellowship, making it my mission to ensure #endometriosis education for doctors & patients.
Reflecting, I am amazed at how many points I was not informed, misguided or misunderstood, more on this soon. Can you spot some?
Educating teens about their fertility is now a passion of mine!.
Here are a few facts about endometriosis:
- In teens, pain may be with periods or without & bowel/bladder symptoms are common.
- 2/3 of endowarriors report symptoms starting before age 20 years
- Endo does run in families
- Among teens who did not improve after medical therapy, up to 75% have endo on laparoscopy
- 5-10 year delays in diagnosis are not uncommon resulting in chronic pain, poor quality of life & #infertility
- Studies show, a lack of knowledge about #endometriosis in teens, moms & doctors.
- Not all pelvic pain or period pain is due to endo, but ALL painful periods warrant an evaluation and treatment plan that includes complimentary and alternative medicine, diet, exercise and medications.
Hina
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