“As a non-profit, every effort The Endometriosis Coalition makes to raise disease awareness, promote education, and increase research funding is centered around our guiding principles:”
 

INFORMED

 

We pride ourselves in actively acquiring the knowledge needed to better understand how to help those battling Endometriosis

EMPOWERED

We strive to provide access to information that leaves women feeling confident and knowledgeable in understanding this disease

RESILIENT

Living with Endometriosis ourselves, we understand that change will not take place overnight. We are committed to creating true and lasting change despite the obstacles we may face

INSPIRING

We aim to positively influence the lives of, and provide hope to those who are battling Endometriosis

 

 WE EDUCATE

WE EMPOWER

WE STAY CONNECTED

CLick on the PHotos Below, or visit our Instagram page @theendo.co to see what we're up to!

We are going to listen to our own advice by taking a much needed break over the holidays, so we may all cherish the last bit of 2018 with our loved ones. We are so grateful for your support this year, and are excited to come back in the new year rested and restored. We can’t wait for you to see what 2019 has in store for @theendo.co! Happy Holidays from our families, to yours! ✨ xx Jenneh, Natalie, Jillian, & Meg
There is something to be said about self-care, especially during the holidays!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Another holiday season is upon us, and along with gifts and nonstop seasonal soundtracks, it can also bring upon unnecessary stress and overindulgence. Between managing so many tasks and planning, it's no wonder many people lose sight of what keeps them healthy and mentally grounded throughout the rest of the year.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ We’ve come up with a self-care checklist for surviving the holiday season, and we hope you can benefit from it!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✔️Take time for yourself.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✔️Unplug and be present with family and friends.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✔️Gratitude.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✔️Keep exercise essential (if you can tolerate it).⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✔️Sleep!⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ .⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ What self-care techniques and practices help you during the holiday season?
I have always loved making my own nut milk when I have the time. It is super easy, but when life gets busy or challenging, sometimes it is just not a priority. However, when I have the time I find it tastes a lot better and tends to agree with my tummy more. To make your own nut milk just follow these few steps: 🥛Soak one cup of your preferred nuts overnight [my favorite is cashew because I love the smooth texture] 🥛Rinse nuts and place them in a blender. Add two cups of water. Blend for a few minutes. 🥛Strain the milk through a cheese cloth [or clean dish cloth] and refrigerate. Does anyone else make their own nut milk? Or do you have a brand that you love? xx Nat 🥛 #almondmilk #cashewmilk #nutmilk #health #wellness #chronicillness #endometriosis
#featurefriday @tideandhoney Hayley was diagnosed with stage 4 #endometriosis in 2013 after decades of being told “cramps are normal” and being given hormones to mask the symptoms. Birth control started at age 14 and although there was some relief, a storm was continuing to brew. At age 26 she stopped birth control to see how her body would respond. By the time she was 30 her periods had become debilitating and she was experiencing crippling fatigue, nausea, back #pain and #anxiety. At age 34 after trying to conceive without success and only have 7-10 days of the month pain free, she decided to pursue formal diagnosis and treatment with Dr David Olive in Madison, WI. After having endometriosis removed from her uterus, ovaries, colon, bladder, ureters and diaphragm she had a year of relief and then began to suffer from many of the same symptoms. There were multiple ER visits over a 2 year period for hemorraghic cysts, fibroids and crippling pain. Further investigation suggested she may have adenomyosis and she was told that a hysterectomy may be the best option. This was the point where she began to lean into the word surrender. She began to realize that the most loving thing that she could do for herself was to let go of her uterus. It has been a year now since her hysterectomy at Northwestern with Dr Milad and she has no regrets. She continues to manage her endometriosis through diet, meditation, physical therapy, acupuncture, herbs, massage therapy and the love of her dog, Hamish. Her advice to those who are newly diagnosed is to find a specialist who can gently guide you through all of the treatment options and to connect with other women who have walked this path. She feels that the support of women in the endo community is so important and has helped her through dark times. Hayley feels that endometriosis has softened her and has taught her how to listen to her body. Most of all it has been a path to unconditional love and acceptance.
I’m most hopeful for a widespread awareness of Endometriosis not just by the general public, but especially by the entire medical community— more specifically, our doctors. I’m hopeful for a better understanding of the disease itself, and how it effects our physical and mental health as a whole. I’m hopeful for earlier disease diagnosis, more funding for research, better treatment options besides pharmaceutical bandaids, and most importantly better insurance coverage for our treatments. These are the things that keep me motivated to fight for change and progress. What are you hopeful for? ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Xx Jay ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #endometriosis #awareness #womenshealth #change
If the thought of everything you need to get done this week makes you anxious, lavender could help! Studies show that lavender has a soothing, calming effect on the central nervous system, making it a great alternative for relieving stress, anxiety, and insomnia! 📷: @terrableu
Listen to your body ❤️ . . #endometriosis #mondaymotivation #inspiration #chronicillness #pelvicpain ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 📷: @facingourrisk
Our #FeatureFriday @justicehopeenlow was diagnosed with Stage 4 endo at 24 years old after suffering from symptoms for 10 years. Due to 1.5 years of “bad cramps” and debilitating pain, she spent several months researching her symptoms. Which included sharp abdominal pain, pain with urination, every bowel symptom you can image, trouble exercising due to the endo on her diaphragm, and many more. Since her gynecologist didn’t take her symptoms seriously, Justice began researching alternative endo treatments. She then found Dr. Cook at Vital Health Institute and was able to get mass excision surgery in March of 2018. After a 7 hour surgery and an intense recovery, Justice is in remission! She is now pursuing the title of Miss California USA which she hopes will bring more attention to endometriosis and increase the chances of earlier diagnosis for young women. Justice’s greatest hope is that REAL mass excision surgery will be made available to every woman with endometriosis. Justice wants others to know that “remission is possible, having energy is possible, and getting your life back from pain is possible!” She is now traveling, exercising, and listening to her body better than ever before. . . #endometriosis #featurefriday #endowarrior #chronicillness
YES! Absolutely one of the worst symptoms I had with my Endo. What helped me personally manage the nausea were ginger chews, smoothies rather than full meals, peppermint tea, and IVs with Zofran (pill form of Zofran seemed to make me feel worse at times). While these things helped me, they might not help everyone, & always check with your doctor before trying any new medications. xx Jillian ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ✨ For those of you who suffer from Endo induced nausea, what helps you manage it??✨ . . #endometriosis #nausea #womenshealth #chronicpain #endowarrior
Avocado goals 😍 Not only are they delicious, but they are good for you—Did you know avocados have more potassium than bananas?! ✨ What are your favorite ways to eat avocados? Comment below✨ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Check out the link in our bio for more reasons why avocados are good for you! . . . 📷: @selfmagazine
It takes time. ❤️ . . 📷: @alison.malee . #mondaymotivation #inspiration #strength #resilence #endometriosis #chronicillness
@andreaebell vividly remembers the first day she recognized a new pain threshold. It wasn’t till years later, upon formal diagnosis, that she realized she’d shown signs of Endometriosis since she was a child. She just celebrated her 27th birthday. Since Andrea’s brutal introduction to this pain, she has undergone two laparoscopies, the removal of two grapefruit sized ovarian cysts, dozens of vaginal ultrasounds, five different kinds of birth control, injections to medically induce menopause, months of physical therapy and seven different doctors. By 2017, Andrea was frustrated with the lack of medical progress and in constant debilitating pain. She was told by three different physicians to “get pregnant” and to “be less stressed”. She stopped taking BC and navigated the painful path of naturally balancing hormones. She has worked hard to establish routine in daily maintenance of ginger tea, turmeric, essential oils, epsom salt baths, heating pads, melatonin, an anti-inflammatory diet, and yoga. 2018 brought another new, indescribable pain threshold. Andrea was referred to Dr. Magdy Milad at Northwestern Medicine and will soon start a 12 week, rigorous program of physical therapy, pain injections, and an IUD. She is also active working with a therapist to manage chronic pain through meditation and hypnosis as well and learning to openly lean on her village of a support system. Endo has taught her not to limit herself. That even on the toughest days, you are not defined by endo. Since her diagnosis she’s also completed a bachelor’s and master’s degree in engineering, moved to a new city, gotten married, traveled to Ireland, France, Germany, and all over the US. She loves plants, coffee, vinyl records, and architecture. Her best advice to those newly diagnosed is to lean on the endo community and learn to be open with your support system. It truly takes a village. Andrea says, “the more confident you can be talking about your own body, the better you can communicate what you are feeling to your doctor’s, family, partner, friends, and coworkers.” She wants you to remember that you are a powerful, bad ass, woman first and patient second. #FeatureFriday #endometriosis