Courtney Ford Instagram – Adenomyosis.
Have you heard of it? I hadn’t. Not until my endometriosis excision surgery w/ Dr. Orbuch, and back then, my brain was too overwhelmed to entertain the existence of yet another “osis”.
Adeno has been called the “twin sister” of endometriosis. After 4 years, I’ve come to think of her as The Final Boss. The Mad Queen. GoT season 8 Khaleesi, if you will.
Basically, my adeno has become a destructive rogue bitch, and I am upset.
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found in places outside the uterus, causing chronic pain, inflammation and adhesions. It can impact nearby organs such as the bowel and bladder, (and even the lungs).
Adenomyosis is when this tissue grows *into* the uterine muscle, often causing an enlarged uterus, heavy bleeding, and more pain.
What a bitch.
Adenomyosis can also cause:
• Prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Irregular bleeding
• Anemia
• Infertility
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Chronic back pain
• Chronic leg pain
• Chronic pain pain
• Painful everything
•Feeling like there’s a bowling ball in your pelvis
•and never NOT feeling like you have to pee
I’m sharing this because, like endometriosis, information is scarce and statistics are inconsistent. I’m sharing because the Office of Research on Women’s Health within the NIH wasn’t established until 1990, (and menstrual products weren’t even tested on actual blood until 2023). I’m sharing because 50% of the Earth’s population is too often told our pain is in our heads. I’m sharing because a fancy doctor once laughed in my face and told me my symptoms were normal. I’m sharing because fuck the fucking fuckers.
If you are dealing with any of the above symptoms, please talk to your doctor about a pelvic MRI. If they dismiss your concerns, cast a fart in their general direction and find a new doctor.
With this adeno/endo team-up nobody asked for, I’m staring down the barrel of surgery #3 where I will likely lose my uterus. Currently watching everyone’s post-op videos on YouTube and adding your pre-op recommendations to cart. Thank you for chronicling your progress, friends. It makes this disorienting experience a little less lonely. | Posted on 13/Sep/2024 05:40:36
