Understanding & Navigating Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a deeply personal topic for me. There is so much confusion, misinformation or lack of information, dismissal, shame, and heartache wrapped up with this chronic disease. It’s difficult to diagnose, not well understood, and many women have never even heard of it before.
I suffered for many years before I was diagnosed with endometriosis. I just didn’t know. As a young adult, my period pain began to increase in intensity. It progressed to a point where I was unable to get out of bed for class and later I began consistently missing days of work each cycle. I had other symptoms in addition to the intense menstural cramps (such as PMS, GI issues, pain with intercourse, bloating, anxiety... to name a few). It felt like my period began to dictate my life - when I could and couldn’t do even basic things like cook dinner or spend time with friends.
What is endometriosis?
In short, endometriosis is a disorder where tissue similar to that which lines the uterus (called the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. Severe dysmenorrhea (painful menstrual cramps) is a primary symptom but not all women with endometriosis share this.
Mainstream Medicine vs. NaPro Technology
I knew something was wrong but did not know where to turn for help. All my doctor could offer me was birth control. I didn't know much, but I did know that birth control was not a cure or sustainable treatment for endo. Some women find temporary relief on the pill but I knew it would only work to mask some of my symptoms (while bringing new symptoms into the mix).
The good news? I had been tracking my cycles using the Creighton Model FertilityCare System for several years. My husband and I worked with our FertilityCare Practitioner (the person who taught us how to chart) to connect with a NaProTechnology doctor. This is where everything changed. My practitioner helped connect me with a team of doctors in Omaha, Nebraska (USA). This is where the FertilityCare System and NaProTechnology were first developed and implemented.
If you haven’t heard of NaProTechology before then it’s important to know that this is restorative reproductive medicine at its finest. This unique approach works to identify and treat the underlying cause to restore the natural and normal anatomy and physiology of the reproductive system. A far cry from mainstream medicine’s typical approach of prescribing the pill and moving on.
After several surgeries, my endometriosis diagnosis was confirmed and addressed with a modern and specialized surgery to treat the source of the problem, not create new ones or alter my natural cycle. Mainstream medicine failed me while my FertilityCare team believed and supported me in finding real solutions to my real problems. My condition would have otherwise gone unidentified, unaddressed and untreated which would have resulted in many more years of pain and suffering and ultimately infertility. I am so grateful for this system and the medical research behind it knowing the alternative would not have enabled me to live the life I have today.
Post Surgery and Beyond
It has now been nearly seven years since I had two NaProTechnology surgeries to remove stage III endometriosis. It was an intense time in our lives with a long recovery but I do not regret it for an instant. I continue to help support and heal my body with dietary and lifestyle changes.
Charting with FertilityCare was critical as I was able to benefit from NaProTechnology. I am now the mother of two beautiful little girls. Biological motherhood was always a dream of mine but one that I spent years worrying wouldn't become a reality due to my health condition as endo is a leading cause of infertility. I sincerely believe that without FertilityCare and NaPro Technology our family wouldn't have been possible.
I used to find it impossible to imagine having periods without pain. Now it's difficult to remember how much pain I used to live with. I am endlessly grateful to the medical professionals who believed in me and didn't dismiss what I was experiencing. NaPro Technology offers real solutions to real problems. NaProTechnology offers hope when there seems to be nowhere else to turn.
