Written by: Dr Stephanie Lipnicki, DACM, LAc

Ask most Endowarriors, whether they want to have children, whether they have had children, whether they are struggling to have children, whether they are in the middle of incubating one, and all the other scenarios, how often they get stares at their bellies when they are not pregnant.

If you are new to who I am, I am an Endowarrior. This means I have endometriosis. Stage IV to be precise. I am one of the one in ten with a uterus that has endometriosis. One of approximately 190 million globally with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a disease where tissue, that has qualities like the endometrial lining, grows almost anywhere in the body.

ANYWHERE in the BODY

It has even recently been found on the brain. It is a full body disease that has so many layers it makes onions look simplistic.

It impacts quality of life, emotional and physical health, it impacts fertility, relationships, friendships - it impacts anything and everything

I was diagnosed with stage IV endometriosis at the age of 28. I lived in pain from the age of 12 and could not get anyone to listen to me. When I say pain, I mean PAIN.

I was doubling pads during my period in 7th and 8th grade so I wouldn’t bleed through my school uniforms.

I was vomiting during my periods. Balled up in pain on my bed.

A few times I passed out in my bathroom and my mom found me on the floor.

Years after I had my children, my mom told me that when she threw the mattress from my childhood out, she was worried someone would think someone was murdered on it.

My Drs REPEATEDLY told me it was dysmenorrhea - aka painful periods - ummmmmm how about NO.

Periods should NOT be painful - whether someone has endometriosis or not. BUT that being said, pain, especially of that caliber, is NOT NOT NOT normal.

When I see patients that I suspect have endometriosis, and they tell me their GYN did an ultrasound and told them they didn’t see endo and they don’t have it (which may or may not be true) I tell them RUN THE OTHER WAY and do not look back.

FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!!

If they tell you they’ll “treat you as if it were endometriosis” without diagnosis. . .

FIND ANOTHER DOCTOR!!!

Unless endometriosis is SOOOOOOOO severe that it has started gluing organs together - it usually cannot be seen on an ultrasound, CT scan, or even an MRI. And it showing up on those scans is HIGHLY unlikely.

You know what does show endometriosis - laparoscopy. Going into the abdomen and looking internally is the GOLD standard of diagnosis.

Where did that leave me - I lost my left ovary because by the time I found a Dr to listen to me and open me up - my left ovary was a train wreck.

While I would LOVE LOVE LOVE for every endowarrior to try Acupuncture and Herbs to manage their endometriosis - I can only share how much it has helped me manage it and the patients I work with.

Benefits I have personally experienced:

Recovery from surgeries is hastened
Considering I’m a stage IV, I feel like using acupuncture and herbs prevented more frequent surgeries, yes I’ve had a number of them - but my average was 5 years and I’ve treated patients who were 18 months or less between and that shifted with Acupuncture
Oh oh oh - fun fact hysterectomy is NOT a cure for endometriosis (see image below for some fun myths and facts about endometriosis). Therefore I still use Acupuncture, Herbs, Chiropractic, and yes sometimes even pain meds to manage the pain now post VERY traumatic hysterectomy.

Now, I would like to share some myths and facts about endometriosis in honor of March being Endometriosis Awareness month:

Tools I use to manage my endometriosis as well as that I recommend my patients use:

Acupuncture and Herbal Formulas
Chiropractic
Massage Therapy
Following the FODMAP diet (a diet often used to alleviate GI issues with IBS)
Microwaveable Warmies to ease belly pain
Various Supplements (needs can vary from person to person as no two bodies are alike)
REST when needed - which might be more than you realize
Low sugar diet
A cane - sometimes I just need it to help stand or walk
A support group of amazing friends

At the end of the day, unless you see a baby physically emerging from another human being, do not assume that belly has a baby.

I do try and infuse humor into my practice - sometimes you just have to laugh at the crazy shit you have been through. At the end of the day, no matter how funny I think I am, whether it’s endometriosis, emotional well being, gastrointestinal issues or whatever your chief concern is - I will always be rooting for and working towards your health and well being!

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help navigating Endometriosis. NO ONE should have to walk this path alone.

Be well,

Dr Stephanie