Something that really bothers me about women’s health

Recently I was tentatively diagnosed with endometriosis. I was offered the opportunity to have exploratory surgery but declined at the time. I’ve been thinking a lot about my experience in my body, and all the things I’ve felt and all the things I’ve shared with doctors over the years.

But my main point is, essentially, what if … most menstruating women… have endometriosis…

I mean I go through a follicular phase every month and the fallopian tubes aren’t even CONNECTED to anything!! They float nearby!!! You’re telling me cancer cells can travel freely around but endometrial cells never leave the uterus??

Looking up statistics on endometriosis, they state only 10% of women worldwide have endometriosis. Frankly, I don’t believe this number. If three quarters of the female population is lacking access to basic health care, and women have historically had—let’s say—incredibly bad luck when it comes to their health issues being acknowledged, how are we supposed to expect something that is as difficult to diagnose without surgical intervention (like endometriosis) is being reported accurately? Also we all acknowledge things like “oh womens health issues are underreported” and “yeahhh no female test dummys for cars, crazy right?” or “they used to think black women couldnt feel pain” but then we’re supposed to take big general data like this seriously?? How many women ignored their pain for years because they thought its only 1 in 10? Yet something like 70 percent of women experience PMS symptoms generally?? (Could be 100% who knows.) I’m just feeling all sorts of weird rage and indignation and injustice right now.

What if the idea of pain is so normal because endo is so normal? What if its what causes the pain? I’m not sure right now how to look into all this, but the fallopian tube thing especially nags at me. Bodies are just bit wet bags powered by good old fashioned pumps. Things leak.

If someone knows something I can read to learn more about this stuff let me know. Also sorry if this doesn’t make sense, this is the first time I’m articulating these ideas outside of my own thoughts.