This is Alexandra's story.
"At 12 years old, I got my period just like many other girls my age, except I couldn't fathom having to deal with it every month. Bleeding lasting 2 or more weeks, constipation, cramps, diarrhoea, and nausea that I convinced my Mom MUST be the stomach bug because there was no way a period could be like this. It took me a long time to realise I wasn't actually getting a stomach bug every month... this was my period.
I was embarrassed, surely I couldn't be this weak. Everyone else had a period and they went to school without much complaint. Surely others weren't hiding in the bathroom shower like I was, lying down with the water turned up as hot as it goes hitting my stomach for some relief. I was always proud of my toughness, my tomboyishness growing up. There was no way I was going to complain about this pain.
Then, it started affecting my running. The pain in my side would have me doubled over, and I couldn't hide that. My parents took me to my paediatrician (who I had lied to for years, hiding the fact I had painful periods because I was too embarrassed to admit it), and I was referred to see a gynaecologist. The first gynae I saw did an ultrasound and told me periods are just painful. The next gynaecologist was specifically recommended by my paediatrician. She had previously done research about endometriosis and she validated my pain for the first time in my life. She told me my symptoms were “textbook endometriosis” and I was scheduled for a laparoscopy to confirm. At this point, I was about 18 years old, and the pain that began at 13 was much more severe. Clots of blood constantly. 2 weeks of bleeding. Pain that took me out. Issues with my bowels that left me extremely constipated.
Surgery day came and ta-da it's endometriosis!! I can't even explain the relief that came over me when I was told. There was a reason for my pain, I wasn't just weak. Today, 4 years after that procedure, I have since had another laparoscopy to remove more endometriosis and I’m awaiting another appointment to confirm if it has spread to my bowels and bladder. But I can say this with confidence, if someone else e.g. my parents and paediatrician, hadn't acted on my pain, I likely would have continued on the rest of my life convincing myself that pain was normal and I was just clearly too weak to handle being a woman. Awful, right? The reality is that’s the environment that has been created for women's health. We are convinced we are overdramatic and hysterical. Endometriosis UK has done an incredible job to educate people and help change the narrative of painful periods.”
Like Alexandra, many young people may not realise that the pain and other symptoms they experience with their periods aren’t something they should simply have to put up with. Listening to and educating young people, taking their symptoms seriously and helping them access support can make a real difference.
If you’re a young person experiencing difficult periods, or symptoms of endometriosis, or you’re supporting someone who is, our resources can help. Take a look at our Understanding periods leaflet for young people and our Supporting young people with difficult periods leaflet.