Pain that steals whole years shouldn’t be shrugged off as “just a bad period.” We sit down with Martha, a nurse who spent years begging to be believed, and trace the arc from precocious puberty and crippling cramps to an overdue MRI that finally revealed advanced endometriosis. Her story cuts through myths and minimization to show exactly how endo can derail work, intimacy, and mental health—and what it takes to get real answers.

This conversation is for anyone navigating pelvic pain, irregular bleeding, or cyclical GI symptoms that don’t add up—and for the clinicians who want to do better. We unpack why endometriosis staging doesn’t predict suffering, how an MRI can be decisive when red flags stack up, and where to find the right specialists for endometriosis surgery. We also talk about the emotional weight of seeking gynecologic care in spaces geared toward pregnancy, and why validation is as healing as any prescription. If you or someone you love is fighting to be heard, you’ll leave with language, next steps, and the confidence to ask for what you need.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs validation, and leave a review to help more people find these stories. Your voice helps others get the care they deserve.

Yale article referenced in this episode: https://medicine.yale.edu/news/yale-medicine-magazine/article/endometriosis/

Martha's doctors/surgeons:

Dr. Thomas Curran (https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/thomas-curran-1205147022)

Dr. Cristian M. Thomae (https://www.getcare.muschealth.org/providers/cristian-thomae-1306934658)

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