At 12 years old I got my period and very quickly learned, I am not having the same experience as the people around me. What was supposed to be 7 days, became 14+. My cramps were excruciating, but no one related to me. While people were getting through their day with thin pads, I was wearing a nighttime pad and S+ tampon to attend math class. After almost 2 years of struggling, I finally was able to go to the doctor. I was given birth control and told, “If it was endometriosis, it would go away.”
Me being an uneducated 14-year-old, when my symptoms “went away” I believed that, for embarrassingly too long. Before my 21st birthday, I ended up sick and having a lot of chronic pain. When I ended up with a UTI (those are not normal for me) I knew immediately deep down what the problem was, but I didn't want to believe it. Birth control cured me! Right? Wrong!
I went through 8 months of constant appointments and no answers in sight. Finally, I had my first surgery in January 2023. Nothing was found, but I refused to let that stop me from getting my answers. I set up with a specialist immediately for a second opinion.
Going to the specialist, I was nervous. I didn't want to waste anyone's time, but deep down I just knew I was going to walk out of there with answers, so I stayed confident and hopeful. I am so glad I did because I learned SO much. I should've gone this route in the first place. One of the biggest things I learned: Your OBGYN may be nice and a good doctor... But are they a skilled SURGEON? Chances are, probably not. Because of my experience, I will forever advocate for a second opinion and a specialist. A specialist is KEY!! 🙌🏻
