Endometriosis and trauma

Bessel Van Der Kolk is a pioneer researcher in the field of neuroscience. His book ‘The body keeps the score’ explains how after trauma, some people can experience the world through an altered nervous system which results in a whole range of physical symptoms, including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and other autoimmune diseases.

This theory is an all too familiar experience for someone with a chronic illness like Endometriosis. This is not to say ‘it’s all in your mind’ but that your body is keeping score about your past experiences.

Recent studies have shown that the symptoms of Endometriosis show up from an adolescent age. However, they are brushed off as normal or the people suffering as delusional. The situation does not get better after adolescence as well. With severe lack of research and understanding, Endometriosis has one of the highest rates of misdiagnosis. It takes an average of 7 years for the diagnosis alone!

None of these are pleasant experiences with good outcomes. These are medical traumas which complicate the issue of Endometriosis further. The chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, stress and many more symptoms can be exacerbated by past medical trauma. It is important that we realise it and let those with Endometriosis know about the effects of trauma; validate their pain and suffering.

This is not to say that knowing about trauma is the cure or that it rids one off all their suffering. It helps, however, in taking the right action and seeking the right, expert care when it is truly needed. If a little positivity can be induced by realizing this, that’s a job well done. Because remember, the body keeps the score.