How the conversation around endometriosis is changing

Where are we at with Endometriosis? We know that people who have heavier, more frequent or longer periods are more likely to have endometriosis spots, Dr Charlotte Elder tells triple j. “Or maybe just not as good as clearing it up; some can heal their own endometriosis.” Within these families we can see certain patterns: a great aunt who ‘couldn’t have kids’, a mum coaching her daughters through pain without realising the suffering isn’t ‘normal’, a sister getting diagnosed and telling you to get checked out. “You can have a whole bunch of endometriosis and no pain, and you can have no endometriosis and still have typical endometriosis-type pain,” says Dr Elder. “So, the amount of endometriosis doesn’t match the pain.” And the pain, if it occurs, can happen when you’ve got your period or just ‘coz.