What I wish I could tell you about my Endo, part 2

You’re going to feel quite sore; I cleared more than the tissue on your ovaries.” These were the first words I heard my doctor say post-surgery. The pain? I could cope with that—I’d been managing chronic pain since my periods began. But the bigger question loomed: was this finally the cure for my endo?

As a schoolgirl in the ‘80s, when periods were still a source of shame, I found creative ways to manage the monthly pain. A hot water bottle and ibuprofen were staples; later, migraine medication became part of my kit. Like many others, I soldiered on—through exams, work, and daily life. Friends had ‘bad periods’ too, but theirs were predictable, confined to their cycle. My symptoms flared up randomly, dragging on long after my period ended.

It took years—well into my 20s—before I realised this wasn’t normal. A full decade passed of me trying to holistically manage my symptoms, of not being taken seriously by health professionals, of fighting for further medical support, of getting a confirmed diagnosis. By then, cramps and stomach pain were a constant presence, and the exhaustion from masking my symptoms was overwhelming.

I had my first laparoscopy at 34, and another at 40. In between, I had a child—despite endometriosis being a leading cause of infertility. Pregnancy gave me temporary relief, but post-surgery scar tissue brought new complications. Today, flare-ups are milder, but endo is still part of my life.

In my 20s and 30s, working in office jobs with mostly male managers, I felt I had no option but to push through. I wish I’d spoken up sooner. Open conversations could have helped not just me but others silently struggling too.

Sadly, surgery isn’t a cure. Managing symptoms is lifelong. A supportive workplace makes all the difference. Managers don’t need all the answers—they just need to listen, acknowledge, and offer flexibility. Endo isn’t always visible, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t real. Understanding and awareness can make all the difference.

written by your Endo Sister, Sarah Sutton

Thank you iDAWN for collaborating on these series

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