I wrote a poetry book about my experiences with Endo and I would love girls to read it to feel seen.
Hi, my name is Sheridan Blake. I’m 28 and from New Zealand.
I was first diagnosed with endometriosis when I was 23. Growing up, I did experience some dysmenorrhea, but it was never debilitating. I was still able to go to school, complete university, work full-time, and even move overseas to Melbourne, Australia.
In February 2020, I turned 23, and throughout that year my periods became increasingly excruciating and debilitating. I was taking a lot of time off work, almost passing out from the pain. It would wake me up in the middle of the night and keep me awake for hours. By August 2020, the pain had become so severe that I finally went to the doctor.
Straight away, she mentioned the possibility of endometriosis, which surprised me given how many people struggle to get their diagnosis. She sent me for an ultrasound, but nothing showed up. She reassured me that endometriosis does not always appear on ultrasounds and told me not to be disheartened. By December 2020, I decided to pay privately for a laparoscopy and D&C. During that surgery, I was diagnosed with stage 2 endometriosis. I felt relieved and incredibly validated.
For two to three months after surgery, I was pain free. Then slowly, the pain came flooding back. I was once again taking time off work and dealing with sleepless nights. My gynecologist at the time told me she would not give me a hysterectomy because I needed to have children first. This was extremely frustrating for me, as I had never planned on having children and felt like my uterus was ruining my life.
By 2022, the pain had become unbearable. I was forced to quit my job because the amount of time I needed off work was completely unsustainable. I had lost 10kg due to the pain and was withering away mentally. I made the decision to move back home to New Zealand so I could be supported by my family and find a new gynecologist.
My new gynecologist performed an internal ultrasound and discovered that I had an ACUM, an accessory cavitated uterine mass. It was essentially like a uterus within a uterus. With every period, it was growing larger, and the distention of the cavity was causing significant pain. Alongside this, I was now diagnosed with stage 3 endometriosis affecting my bladder, bowels, uterus, and ligaments.
He told me I did not need to have children first, and if a hysterectomy was what I wanted, he would support that decision. That is what I chose.
In April 2024, I had my hysterectomy, and it was the best decision I have ever made. I got my life back. I am now happier and healthier than ever. I am able to work again, travel, eat whatever I want without flare-ups, and live my life without being bed bound.
During surgery, my uterus, fallopian tubes, and cervix were removed, but my ovaries were left intact. This means I did not go into early menopause and did not need hormone replacement therapy. It also means I still have the option of IVF or surrogacy in the future if I ever decide I want children.
I highly recommend a hysterectomy to anyone who is not planning on having children and is living in pain every day. It is not worth ruining your life over. There are still options like IVF, surrogacy, and adoption.
I wish I had my uterus removed sooner.
I want other girls to keep fighting. Find that second opinion. Find someone who believes your pain. Do not stop until you have answers.
I have written a poetry book about my experience with endometriosis, and I would love for others to read it so they can feel seen, validated, and less alone.
-Sheridan
