Pelvic pain, endo belly, painful sex, bowel/urinary issues (painful urination/bowel movements, diarrhoea, constipation), fatigue, and infertility, pain in the lower back or legs, these are among the more common things we hear about endometriosis.
There are so many things that go undiscussed when it comes to Endometriosis, one of which is the intense toll it takes on one’s mental health.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease. While seeking a diagnosis, we spend much of our time trying to convince others about the indescribable pain we endure. We are also trying to find ways to keep the condition under control and use our energy to resist being gaslighted by doctors. Many health care professionals still do not understand that life-altering pelvic pain is not normal. This can lead to stigma and the normalisation of pain, further harming our mental health.
As it is, Endometriosis tampers with your hormones, causing anxiety amongst most individuals who are subjected to endometriosis; couple that with chronic pain, dismissal from doctors and the people around you, plus hindrance in daily life activities; without realising it, the concept of mental wellbeing becomes alien to us.
While we try to grasp the reality of our situation and convince ourselves that we are not overly sensitive to pain or crazy, since nobody seems to understand the pain, we slip into survival mode and, without realising it, find ourselves in a rabbit hole of despair.
Additionally, chronic inflammation produces cytokines that can cross the blood-brain barrier, directly affecting neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine. This means the disease itself can physically "trigger" symptoms of clinical depression and anxiety, independent of the external stressors. It isn't just "circumstantial" sadness.
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Chemical anxiety: the constant state of inflammation keeps the body in a permanent "fight or flight" response.
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Treatment side effects: many hormonal treatments (like GnRH agonists or high-dose progestins) can induce severe depressive episodes or mood swings, forcing patients to choose between physical pain and mental instability.
Living with endometriosis often leads to a fractured relationship with one’s own body. When your body causes excruciating pain and interferes with your desire to work, socialise, or conceive, it is easy to view it as an enemy. This body dissociation is a survival mechanism. It distances the "self" from the "source of pain," but leaves you feeling homeless in your own skin.
The transition from "survival mode" to a place of mental stability requires more than just painkillers; it requires a multidisciplinary approach to care that validates the mind-body connection.
At Wild Petals Collective, we intend to address these issues by not only advocating for these conditions but also connecting individuals with resources to help them better navigate their journey.
