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Lindsey Peters started experiencing severe pelvic pain, cramps, and continuous bleeding. After months of pushing back against disbelief from her doctor, she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis. She says, "It took a lot of convincing."
Peters and Hayse, like Griffith, also struggled to find sympathetic doctors. Peters, who has sought treatment from at least seven doctors, says one primary care physician refused to refer her to a specialist for months, saying that the symptoms were all in her head.
The long road to relief from endometriosis
What Men Might Be Overlooking About the Female Sexual Experience
First—whether you’re in a relationship, dating or hooking up—know that pelvic pain is real. “I would want a man to know that this is not something that’s in a woman’s head. This is not something that a woman is making up to get out of having sex,” Lindsey explains. So if a woman tells you she has pain, take her seriously. And understand that it can be difficult for her to even discuss. Also remember women should never feel forced or pressured to have sex, McHugh says. If your partner wants to be intimate, there are things you can do to support her and encourage a mutually pleasurable experience.
How I Fundraised for Endometriosis by Running the Rock ‘n’ Roll 5K (You Can Do It, Too!)
by Lindsey Peters
“I was officially diagnosed with endometriosis in 2016. I had little to no idea what the disease was, which meant that there were probably many more people who were just as unaware that this disease exists.
Through my endometriosis journey, I learned that the only way I could help raise awareness and funding for this incurable disease was to get as heavily involved in anything endometriosis related as possible. I started joining support groups and looking for organizations who advocate for women with endometriosis. Shockingly, there aren’t many organizations out there for us. However, I found immediate support, education, and advocacy from the Endometriosis Association and the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound). I became the first Endometriosis Ambassador for the Endometriosis Association and began working with EndoFound to find ways to raise awareness, education, and funding for endometriosis. I couldn’t just sit silent and still—that’s how my idea to join EndoFound’s team in the 2017-2018 Rock ‘n’ Roll marathon came about.”
SWHR Working Group Members Meet with Lawmakers on Capitol Hill
On Monday, September 11, as part of the Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) Endometriosis Education Working Group two-day roundtable in Washington, D.C., participants hit the halls of Congress to meet with federal policymakers. Their meetings centered on educating policymakers about endometriosis and their message: prioritize endometriosis research funding.
SWHR’s Endometriosis Education Working Group includes interdisciplinary, inter-sector experts, including clinicians, researchers, policy thought leaders, and patients and patient advocates. Working Group members drew on their personal and professional experiences to shed light on the needs and opportunities in endometriosis clinical care, research, policy, and education and awareness.
The Society for Women’s Health Research (SWHR) created an Endometriosis Toolkit: A Patient Empowerment Guide to help individuals with endometriosis navigate their health care and advocate for their well-being. Lindsey was a Network Contributor, giving her perspectives as a patient advocate.
The toolkit is a project of SWHR’s Endometriosis and Fibroids Network, a diverse group of researchers, health care providers, patients, and health care thought leaders working to educate and engage society about the burden of these diseases, which significantly impact the lives of the women.
Implicit Bias in Health Care: Endometriosis Awareness Panel Discussion
Click above to watch the Implicit Bias in Health Care: Endometriosis Awareness Panel Discussion.
HSC College of Pharmacy's PEACE Task Force presented a DEI Speaker Series, including panelists sharing their personal journeys of living with endometriosis.
Recorded March 23, 2022 during Endometriosis Awareness Month. The College of Pharmacy formed the Pharmacy for Equity, Acceptance, Compassion and Excellence (PEACE) Task Force, to evaluate areas of opportunity and to develop initiatives to address diversity, equity and inclusion within the college.
The Fighter - A Click & Pledge Foundation Film
Virginia native Lindsey Peters began her battle with endometriosis a decade and a half ago. Because it’s a disease that is not well-researched or understood, it took years for Lindsey to find a doctor who would take her pain seriously, let alone diagnose and help her.
According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects 190 million women worldwide. This journey of pain, isolation and discouragement eventually brought Lindsey into a community she never knew existed; one that was crucial for her to continue her fight. She became connected to a network of supporters through online groups and organizations like the Endometriosis Foundation.
Although there is currently no known cure for endometriosis, Lindsey was finally able to receive a surgery that greatly helped her manage symptoms. However, that meant giving up her ability to have children. Then another devastating blow came in 2021 when she suffered the loss of her mom and dad, just three months apart from each other.
The comradery she found in the endometriosis community, as well as her parents’ legacy of kindness and resilience, inspired Lindsey to forever use her voice to advocate for a cure.