"It's just painful menstruation. Almost every woman experiences it, after all."
I heard this sentence for years. From doctors. From those around me. Sometimes even from myself. And for a long time, I believed it.
Until the moment I realized that what I was experiencing was not normal. That pain that paralyzes you, exhausts you, and takes away your ability to function normally some days of the month is not something you should just silently endure.
When I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, I mainly felt relief.
Finally, it had a name.
Finally, I didn't feel overly sensitive.
Finally, I had an answer.
But what no one told me was how emotionally demanding this journey would be.
And I believe that's precisely what is still talked about too little.
The hardest part is sometimes not the pain itself, but what it gradually takes from you
What's difficult about endometriosis is that it's often invisible from the outside.
People don't see how much energy it takes for you to function normally. They don't see how you mentally calculate whether you can handle a meeting, a presentation at work, travel, dinner with friends, or a regular workday. They don't see that sometimes, from morning, all you think about is how to survive until evening.
And that's why it's so painful that, besides physical pain, another loss often comes... the loss of ease.
- Perhaps you used to be more spontaneous
- Perhaps you thought less about what you could plan
-
Perhaps you just went when you were looking forward to something
And then suddenly, you start to measure everything by how your body will probably feel.
It's hard not to doubt yourself when it's not visible
One of the worst things about endometriosis is how easily you start to doubt yourself.
- When for years you're told it's normal
- When those around you say you "look good"
- When you sometimes have good days and start to wonder if it's all exaggerated.
- "This internal confusion is incredibly exhausting. On bad days, you feel like you can't go on. On better days, you wonder if you just imagined the worse ones."
And yet, both are reality.
✓ Just because you sometimes have a better day doesn't mean your pain isn't real
✓ Just because you can smile or function normally doesn't mean you're not suffering
✓ Just because you managed it yesterday doesn't mean you'll manage it today
This is something many women with endometriosis know well: you have to learn to trust your body again after years of being told that what you feel isn't that serious.
Dealing with endometriosis is often a completely different kind of exhaustion
Life with endometriosis at work is still talked about too little. Especially about the quiet pressure in the background.
- You're in a meeting, focusing more on the pain than on what anyone is saying
- You're counting how long you can still sit
- You're afraid no one will think you're exaggerating
- You try to be professional even when you're falling apart inside
Invisible burden at work And perhaps the worst thing is that the illness isn't visible.
If you broke your leg, people would understand.When you have chronic pain, you often first have to convince others that it's even real.
And that in itself is another extra job.
Many women stay silent because of this. They don't want to be "problematic." They don't want to be perceived as less reliable. They don't want anyone to think they're making excuses.
Relationships are sometimes difficult not because people don't love you, but because they simply don't understand
I think one of the most painful things is misunderstanding from people you love. Not because they are mean. But because they cannot imagine what it's like.
How do you explain that one day you can function almost normally and the next you can't even manage basic things?
How do you explain that the pain exhausts you not only physically but also mentally?
How do you explain that sometimes you cancel plans not because you don't want to, but because you truly can't?
And so it happens that you hear sentences that may not be meant badly, but still hurt:
"But you were fine last time."
"Couldn't it just be stress?"
"Are you canceling again?"
"Have you tried...?"
"The hardest thing about an invisible illness isn't just that it hurts. It's also that you sometimes feel like you constantly have to explain and defend it."
And after a while, it starts to wear you down so much that you no longer have the strength to explain anything.
It helped me a lot to find out I wasn't alone
One of the things that was really important to me was finding out that my feelings weren't exaggerated. That what I was experiencing wasn't "too much." That many other women truly live with this.
And this is incredibly healing.
Not because it solves the pain. But because it at least temporarily lessens that feeling of loneliness.
Sometimes it's just a sentence:
"I believe you. I'm here for you."
"I've experienced what you're feeling too. I completely understand."
"You're not alone."
And sometimes, that's what we need to hear the most.
What I wish I had known sooner
If I could talk to myself when I still didn't know what was happening to me, I would probably say this:
✓ Your pain isn't normal just because someone told you it is
✓ Just because others don't understand you doesn't mean you're making it up
✓ You don't have to be brave at all costs
✓ You don't have to manage everything silently
✓ And you don't have to wait until it's completely unbearable to have the right to say you're unwell
I'm not writing this to say that everything is fine and resolved now.
Because life with endometriosis is not linear. There are better periods, and there are periods when it overwhelms you again. There are days when you feel strong, and days when you're tired of always being "the strong one."
But I think it's important to talk about it in ways other than just diagnoses, surgeries, and symptoms.
And if you're reading this and something resonates with you, I want to tell you one thing:
What you feel is real.
You are not oversensitive.
You are not weak.
And you are not alone.
Looking for a space where you can be honest and share your experiences?
Join our Facebook community — a place where women share their stories, support each other, and remind themselves: We are not alone.
Your pain is real. Your feelings are valid. And you deserve to be heard. 🤍
What else to read on Femspace?
- Endometriosis: A Guide to Supplements and Nutrition Based on Scientific Evidence
- → Endometriosis and Diet: How to Find Balance and Relief
- → Endometriosis Centers in the Czech Republic
- → Spotting and Bleeding Outside of Menstruation
- → Discomfort that Companies Overlook: Why it's Time to Address Menstrual Pain in the Workplace
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Femvie products that can help you
We have selected products related to this topic that can support your health:
- 🌿 Endometriosis support complex — specially formulated supplement for women with endometriosis
- 📖 Guide: Anti-inflammatory diet for endometriosis — 6 + 1 ways to naturally reduce pain with nutrition
- 💊 Magnesium — supports muscle relaxation and cramp relief
- 🩹 Menstrual patches — natural relief from painful menstruation
- 🎯 Endometriosis support package — a complete set for daily support
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have endometriosis?
Endometriosis is characterized by severe painful menstruation, pain during intercourse, fatigue, and digestive problems. The only way to definitively confirm it is through laparoscopy. If the symptoms interfere with your daily life, consult a gynecologist.
How long does it take to get a diagnosis?
The average time from the first symptoms to a diagnosis of endometriosis in the Czech Republic is 7-10 years. Many women are dismissed for a long time with the argument that painful menstruation is normal.
Can endometriosis be treated naturally?
Endometriosis cannot be completely cured, but symptoms can be naturally alleviated with an anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, exercise, and stress reduction. Natural support does not replace medical care but can significantly improve quality of life.
Are organic menstrual products better for women with endometriosis?
Yes. Conventional tampons and pads can contain pesticides and chemicals that irritate sensitive tissue. Femvie's organic cotton products are certified and free of harmful substances.
