Bo has Endometriosis: “being on your period feels like an attempted murder”

Every woman knows it well: that monthly torture called menstruation. For some, a nagging discomfort, for others pure horror. I fall into the latter category. And believe me, I am not exaggerating when I say it felt like someone was stirring with a knife in my lower abdomen. I even once fled to the hospital at five in the morning.

Why Aleve Feminax became my best friend (and my liver my enemy)

Six Aleve pills a day and a hot water bottle that has now grown with me – that’s how I survived my period week. Small detail: you’re actually only allowed to take three in 24 hours. But hey, desperate times and all that.

And then came the diagnosis: endometriosis

After countless visits to the general practitioner – who probably thought: ‘There she is again’ – finally came the moment when I sat half gagging in front of my doctor. That helped. Finally a referral. And there I was, in the stirrups, while a kind of Harry Potter wand was looking inside me. And yes, endometriosis. There was a cyst on my ovary. Finally clarity, finally recognition, finally… panic.

What exactly is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that resembles the uterine lining grows in places outside the uterus. For example, on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or even your intestines. It sounds harmless, but it causes severe pain, fertility problems, and mental distress. About 2 to 10% of women of childbearing age deal with it. And diagnosing it? That can take years. Absurd really, that as a woman you first have to scream in pain before you are taken seriously.

TikTok horror and fertility panic

Because I am of course a sucker for self-diagnoses and internet advice, I decided to Google my diagnosis on TikTok. Wrong. Very wrong. Within ten minutes, I was convinced that I would become infertile and needed surgery tomorrow. TikTok: fun for dances, not for medical info.

Do you really want reliable information? Thuisarts.nl is your friend, not your algorithm.

The spiral of relief (kind of)

On the advice of the gynecologist, I decided to get an IUD. Well, that was a party. The placement felt like I was being burned alive. But good, I now have significantly less pain during my period. And my girlfriends everyone is also happy: I no longer turn into a witch-with-a-blender as soon as I’m on my period.

Endometriosis is not just being dramatic

What I want you to remember: endometriosis is not exaggerated PMS or a bit of whining about cramps. It is a serious condition that can turn your life upside down. And yes, we sometimes laugh about it. But it is indeed the reason that women lie crying on the couch, cancel appointments, and feel lonely because no one understands it.

What you need to know about endometriosis

• Endometriosis occurs in 1 in 10 women.
• The pain can be intense and sometimes resembles appendicitis.
• It takes an average of 7 to 10 years for the diagnosis to be made.
• There is (still) no cure, but there are treatments: hormone therapy, pain relief, and sometimes surgery.
• Endometriosis can affect your fertility.
• Don’t let yourself be brushed off. You know your body best.