Additionally, people who hold identities that have been historically marginalized can face further trauma

This can come in various forms, such as implicit and explicit biases that medical professionals may hold towards people in terms of race, ethnicity, disability, socioeconomic status, gender identity and expression, and sexual orientation. 

It is also important to note that the space of endometriosis advocacy, as well as the treatment space, is predominantly occupied by people who are cisgender women, heterosexual, and white. People with different identities – such as Black people; Indigenous peoples; Latino/a/e/x; Asian people; people of color; racialized people; LGBTQIA2S+, including intersex people, non-binary people, and trans people; as well as various other identities – can face a lack of inclusion, representation, or even outright discrimination.

Options for managing our symptoms can affect our mental health

Hormonal suppression

Many of us take hormones like birth control pills, depo provera, Mirena IUD or GnRh drugs to try and manage our symptoms. Unfortunately, for some of us, taking hormones can cause mood changes, anxiety and/or depression.

Orilissa, which is a GnRh antagonist for managing endometriosis associated pain, lists anxiety, depression, and mood changes under the potential side effects on their website. It also says that 

“ORILISSA can cause serious side effects including: Suicidal thoughts, actions, or behavior, and worsening of mood.”

Myfembree and Ryeqo are similar drugs to Orilissa and list these same side effects. Additionally, many birth controls list mood changes or depression as a side effect, including vaginal birth controls like the Mirena IUD and Nuva Ring.

Diet and lifestyle

Dietary or other lifestyle changes can also take a serious toll, and can lead to disordered eating, controlling behaviors, guilt, and more. It can take time to find a balance and figure out how to follow any diet and lifestyle changes we’ve made in a way that supports both our physical and mental health.

Living with endometriosis can sink us into a deep sadness, trap us in anger, or completely strip our lives of meaning

All of these are natural reactions to a devastating disease, but it’s important to address how we feel and then work through our feelings so we don’t get stuck in them. I was stuck in my anger for over a decade so I know it’s not an easy process. But trying to move towards finding peace (whatever that means to us), finding healthy outlets for our feelings, and working safely through trauma can help us to once more access joy, meaning, and happiness in our lives where we thought there was none.

I truly believe that when we get diagnosed, part of the medical care that is provided should automatically include addressing the toll this disease takes on our mental health.