Send us a text with a question or thought on this episode ( We cannot replay from this link)
Endometriosis impacts every aspect of life—physical health, relationships, mental wellbeing, career, and finances—not just the reproductive system. Research validates what patients experience: this disease is systemic, serious, and requires comprehensive care approaches beyond dismissive “solutions” like yoga or positive thinking.
• Medical gaslighting occurs when clinicians discount or dismiss patient concerns, eroding trust and worsening health outcomes
• Women and people from marginalized communities experience heightened levels of medical dismissal
• “Kissing ovaries” visible on imaging can signal deep infiltrating endometriosis requiring surgical intervention
• Chronic pain from endometriosis physically rewires neurological systems affecting emotion regulation and cognitive processing
• Research shows endometriosis significantly impacts employment with higher rates of missed work and job loss
• Adolescents with endometriosis experience lower quality of life across physical, emotional, and academic domains
• Early intervention and patient-centered care dramatically improve long-term outcomes
• Validation of symptoms as legitimate biological experiences rather than emotional overreactions is essential
LINKS
Impact of Endometriosis on Quality of Life in Adolescents. J Adolesc Health. 2018;63(6):766-772.
Continue advocating for yourself and others. Your experiences are real, measurable, and deserve comprehensive care.
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Introduction to Endobattery Fast Charged
Speaker 1
0:01
Welcome
to
Endobattery
Fast
Charged
,
a
series
dedicated
to
keeping
you
informed
and
empowered
in
the
realm
of
endometriosis
.
Teaming
up
with
board-certified
patient
advocates
,
we
bring
you
the
latest
articles
,
research
and
insights
to
equip
you
with
accurate
information
and
a
deeper
understanding
.
Whether
you're
expanding
your
knowledge
,
staying
updated
or
seeking
clarity
,
you're
in
the
right
place
.
I'm
your
host
,
alana
,
and
this
is
Endobattery
Fast
Charged
charging
and
empowering
your
life
with
knowledge
.
Welcome
back
to
Endobattery
Fast
Charged
Endometriosis: More Than a Uterus Problem
Speaker 1
0:36
.
Today
we're
tackling
a
not
so
fun
fact
that
many
of
us
know
all
too
well
Endometriosis
isn't
just
a
uterus
problem
,
it's
an
everything
problem
.
It
messes
with
your
physical
health
,
sure
,
but
also
your
job
,
your
relationship
,
your
mental
health
,
your
sex
life
,
your
sleep
and
your
bank
account
.
And
,
honestly
,
I
wouldn't
be
shocked
if
it's
out
here
messing
with
our
Wi-Fi
signal
too
.
So
in
this
episode
,
we're
diving
into
the
research
that
validates
what
you
probably
already
screamed
into
the
void
at
least
once
this
disease
is
not
just
in
your
head
and
it's
not
just
bad
periods
.
We're
looking
at
how
endo
shows
up
in
adolescence
,
how
it
affects
your
ability
to
show
up
for
work
or
life
in
general
,
and
why
early
intervention
and
patient-centered
care
is
essential
,
not
optional
.
Now
,
before
we
go
too
deep
,
I
have
to
throw
in
a
quick
science
disclaimer
.
Correlation
does
not
equal
causation
.
Just
because
two
things
appear
together
,
like
,
say
,
pelvic
pain
and
anxiety
,
doesn't
mean
one
caused
the
other
,
although
after
enough
bad
doctor
visits
I'd
argue
gaslighting
might
be
the
cause
.
Still
,
science
needs
a
little
more
than
vibes
to
call
it
causation
.
That
said
,
the
more
research
that
comes
out
,
the
more
we're
seeing
the
very
real
toll
this
disease
takes
.
So
if
you've
ever
felt
like
you
were
losing
your
mind
because
of
endo
or
like
your
symptoms
were
somehow
your
fault
,
this
one's
for
you
.
We're
connecting
the
dots
with
care
,
compassion
and
a
touch
of
sarcasm
,
because
if
we
don't
laugh
sometimes
we
might
just
scream
into
the
pillow
,
and
you
know
what
we
support
that
too
,
let's
get
into
it
.
Medical Gaslighting and Patient Dismissal
Speaker 1
2:21
Have
you
ever
walked
into
a
doctor's
office
,
list
your
symptoms
with
the
clarity
of
a
TED
talk
and
still
somehow
leave
wondering
if
maybe
you
imagined
it
?
All
that
dizzying
loop
of
self-doubt
isn't
just
in
your
head
.
It's
got
a
name
.
It's
called
medical
gaslighting
.
According
to
the
study
titled
Gaslighting
of
Impatients
a
Threat
to
Nursing
Care
and
a
Violation
of
Relational
Autonomy
.
It's
what
happens
when
clinicians
discount
deny
sliding
of
impatience
a
threat
to
nursing
care
and
a
violation
of
relational
autonomy
.
It's
what
happens
when
clinicians
discount
,
deny
or
dismiss
patients'
concerns
to
the
point
where
patients
themselves
start
to
second-guess
their
own
reality
.
It's
like
being
handed
a
do
not
disturb
sign
instead
of
actual
care
.
And
spoiler
alert
,
it's
not
just
annoying
,
it's
harmful
.
Speaker 1
3:04
Now
,
if
you've
lived
with
a
condition
like
endometriosis
,
a
disease
so
poorly
understood
,
it
might
as
well
wear
an
invisible
cloak
.
You've
probably
encountered
this
gaslighting
firsthand
.
We're
talking
about
the
classics
.
It's
just
bad
cramps
.
Lose
some
weight
,
you're
just
stressed
.
Have
you
tried
yoga
?
Or
,
my
personal
favorite
,
your
labs
are
fine
,
so
you
must
be
fine
.
It's
the
medical
equivalent
of
being
ghosted
and
then
told
you're
imagining
the
ghost
.
Speaker 1
3:33
Research
shows
medical
gaslighting
isn't
just
an
individual
problem
.
It's
a
systemic
one
.
Structural
racism
,
cultural
bias
and
gender
discrimination
throw
more
gasoline
on
the
fire
.
Women
,
people
of
color
and
especially
those
living
at
the
intersection
of
multi-marginalized
identities
are
the
most
impacted
when
doctors
dismiss
you
,
delay
your
care
or
brush
off
your
test
results
.
It
erodes
the
trust
and
reinforces
a
cycle
where
illness
gets
worse
and
mental
health
takes
a
hit
.
Gaslighting
doesn't
just
hurt
your
feelings
,
it
can
literally
hurt
your
prognosis
.
So
what
does
this
all
lead
to
?
Anxiety
,
depression
,
ptsd
and
a
deep
,
soul-weary
exhaustion
that
no
amount
of
chamomile
tea
or
inspirational
quotes
can
fix
.
It
creates
a
harmful
feedback
loop
.
Your
physical
pain
gets
labeled
as
psychological
,
your
mental
health
worsens
under
the
weight
of
being
unheard
and
the
actual
condition
you're
dealing
with
goes
untreated
.
It's
like
being
stuck
on
a
treadmill
built
entirely
out
of
you're
fine
,
while
your
body
screams
otherwise
.
What
we
need
desperately
is
a
healthcare
environment
where
patients
aren't
treated
like
unreliable
narrators
of
their
own
medical
stories
,
a
space
where
saying
I'm
in
pain
doesn't
get
met
with
a
skeptical
eyebrow
or
a
prescription
for
kale
and
Pilates
.
It's
time
we
retire
the
toxic
dynamics
that
allow
gaslighting
to
thrive
and
replace
them
with
actual
listening
,
informed
compassion
and
maybe
,
just
maybe
,
a
few
doctors
who
don't
treat
like
their
nemesis
when
patients
come
in
well-researched
,
because
at
the
end
of
the
day
,
patients
don't
need
to
be
tougher
or
more
positive
,
they
need
to
be
believed
.
Kissing Ovaries and Diagnostic Challenges
Speaker 1
5:22
Alright
,
friends
,
let's
talk
about
something
that
sounds
kind
of
romantic
but
is
well
not
Kissing
ovaries
.
Despite
the
cute
name
,
there's
nothing
hallmark
about
it
.
In
medical
speak
,
it
means
both
ovaries
have
cozied
up
like
way
too
close
Thanks
to
pelvic
adhesions
,
usually
from
endometriosis
.
They're
practically
spooning
.
On
imaging
,
whether
ultrasound
,
ct
or
MRI
,
it
looks
like
a
snuggle
session
,
but
in
reality
it's
a
giant
red
flag
waving
,
please
send
help
,
often
signaling
deep
infiltrating
endometriosis
and
possible
need
for
surgical
intervention
.
Speaker 1
6:02
Now
,
according
to
the
study
titled
Endometriosis
a
common
but
enigmatic
disease
with
many
faces
current
concept
of
physiology
and
diagnostic
strategy
,
endometriosis
is
what
they
call
a
common
but
enigmatic
disease
,
which
science
speak
for
.
We
see
it
all
the
time
,
but
it
still
manages
to
confuse
us
,
like
a
plot
twist
in
a
telenovela
.
The
article
dives
deep
into
the
many
faces
of
endo
,
noting
that
it
doesn't
just
show
up
one
way
.
Sometimes
it's
subtle
,
sometimes
it's
dramatic
,
sometimes
it's
kissing
,
and
this
variability
makes
diagnosis
a
whole
circus
.
They
explain
how
imaging
has
become
a
key
tool
,
especially
advanced
MRI
,
to
catch
those
sneaky
signs
like
adhesions
,
endometriomas
and
you
guessed
it
kissing
ovaries
.
What's
tricky
is
that
,
while
we
can
see
kissing
ovaries
on
imaging
,
it's
often
missed
or
misinterpreted
,
especially
if
the
person
reading
the
scan
isn't
familiar
with
endometriosis
.
This
article
underscores
the
need
for
radiologists
to
be
trained
in
spotting
subtle
but
meaningful
patterns
Because
,
let's
be
real
,
if
your
organs
are
rearranging
themselves
like
they're
trying
to
win
a
game
of
twister
,
that
deserves
more
than
a
casual
shrug
and
let's
wait
and
see
.
Speaker 1
7:22
Even
more
frustrating
,
the
severity
of
findings
like
kissing
ovaries
often
correlates
with
infertility
,
deep
pain
and
higher
stages
of
disease
,
meaning
people
who
are
really
struggling
may
still
be
waiting
years
for
an
accurate
diagnosis
.
It's
like
being
on
fire
and
being
told
it's
just
a
warm
breeze
.
This
is
why
recognizing
kissing
ovaries
and
similar
signs
isn't
just
an
academic
exercise
.
It's
a
game
changer
.
It
shifts
the
conversation
from
maybe
it's
nothing
to
let's
take
this
seriously
,
because
endometriosis
isn't
just
about
period
pain
.
It's
about
recognizing
patterns
,
respecting
symptoms
and
getting
people
the
care
they
need
without
making
them
feel
like
they
have
to
earn
it
with
suffering
.
So
next
time
someone
mentions
kissing
ovaries
,
don't
let
the
name
fool
you
.
It's
not
romance
,
it's
a
medical
SOS
,
and
the
sooner
it's
recognized
,
the
better
chance
someone
has
at
getting
real
help
.
Psychological Impact of Chronic Endometriosis
Speaker 1
8:21
Let's
talk
about
something
that
doesn't
get
nearly
enough
airtime
the
psychological
toll
of
endometriosis
,
because
yes
,
it's
about
physical
pain
,
but
it's
also
about
how
the
pain
rewires
your
brain
over
time
.
According
to
a
2023
study
in
the
Journal
of
Clinical
Medicine
titled
Understanding
Psychological
Symptoms
of
Endometriosis
from
a
Research
Domain
Criteria
Perspective
,
researchers
dove
into
the
psychological
symptoms
of
endometriosis
from
a
research
domain
criteria
perspective
.
Researchers
dove
into
the
psychological
symptoms
of
endometriosis
using
something
called
research
domain
criteria
framework
,
which
sounds
very
fancy
,
but
basically
they
just
took
a
full
body
,
full
mind
,
science-backed
approach
to
understanding
how
endo
messes
with
your
head
and
your
heart
.
Spoiler
alert
it's
not
just
anxiety
or
depression
,
although
those
are
definitely
in
the
mix
.
What
they
found
is
that
consistent
,
unmanaged
pain
of
endo
can
disrupt
entire
neurological
systems
emotion
regulation
.
And
what
they
found
is
that
consistent
,
unmanaged
pain
of
endo
can
disrupt
entire
neurological
systems
emotion
regulation
,
stress
responses
,
cognitive
processing
,
even
reward
and
motivation
pathways
.
In
plain
speak
,
when
you're
constantly
hurting
and
not
being
believed
,
your
brain
goes
into
survival
mode
and
it
stays
there
.
Speaker 1
9:40
This
isn't
about
mental
illness
being
separated
from
physical
illness
.
It's
about
how
physical
pain
of
endo
literally
shapes
the
brain
over
time
.
The
foggy
,
exhausted
,
anxious
feeling
,
that's
not
weakness
,
that's
your
nervous
system
doing
overtime
without
benefits
.
And
no
,
yoga
alone
isn't
going
to
fix
it
,
but
early
,
patient-centered
care
might
.
Here's
the
kicker
.
The
study
stresses
how
crucial
it
is
to
validate
these
symptoms
as
part
of
the
disease
,
not
a
side
hustle
of
drama
or
fragility
,
because
when
clinicians
dismiss
the
psychological
impacts
,
patients
are
left
trying
to
think
positive
their
way
through
very
real
,
very
neurological
storms
and
frankly
,
that's
a
lot
to
put
on
someone
who's
already
living
in
pain
.
Speaker 1
10:29
So
what's
the
takeaway
here
?
We
need
more
than
a
prescription
.
We
need
providers
who
see
the
whole
person
.
We
need
systems
that
treat
endo
as
a
condition
that
affects
everything
from
how
you
move
to
how
you
feel
,
to
how
you
show
up
in
the
world
,
because
treating
the
whole
body
without
considering
the
brain
is
like
patching
the
roof
while
the
foundation
is
crumbling
.
You're
not
too
emotional
,
too
dramatic
or
too
sensitive
.
You're
enduring
something
that
science
is
finally
catching
up
to
,
and
your
experiences
are
not
only
real
,
they're
measurable
and
,
most
importantly
,
you
deserve
care
that
sees
and
supports
Workplace and Personal Life Consequences
Speaker 1
11:06
all
of
you
.
And
speaking
of
seeing
all
of
you
,
let's
just
rip
the
band-aid
off
.
Speaker 1
11:11
Endometriosis
doesn't
clock
out
when
you
clock
in
.
According
to
a
powerful
case
study
published
in
BMJ
Open
titled
Does
Endometriosis
Affect
Personal
Life
,
a
match
case
study
control
in
Switzerland
,
germany
and
Austria
took
a
good
look
at
this
and
the
results
Yikes
.
People
with
endo
reported
lower
employment
rates
,
more
missed
days
of
work
,
reduced
productivity
and
increased
risk
of
job
loss
.
But
please
tell
us
more
about
how
we
should
just
push
through
it
.
Here's
the
thing
.
This
isn't
just
about
having
a
bad
pain
day
or
two
.
We're
talking
about
chronic
illness
that
hijacks
your
functional
status
,
physically
,
mentally
,
socially
,
sexually
and
oh
yes
,
financially
.
It's
not
just
the
body
that
pays
.
It's
the
careers
,
self-esteem
,
relationships
and
rent
checks
too
.
The
researchers
found
that
many
people
with
endo
had
to
make
serious
career
sacrifices
,
like
changing
jobs
,
reducing
hours
or
leaving
the
workforce
entirely
,
not
because
they
weren't
capable
,
but
because
they
weren't
being
supported
.
Speaker 1
12:16
What
makes
the
difference
?
Early
intervention
and
patient-centered
care
Shocking
?
I
know
when
patients
are
believed
,
properly
diagnosed
and
treated
based
on
what
they
need
,
not
what
someone
thinks
a
typical
pain
threshold
should
be
,
they're
more
likely
to
thrive
at
work
and
everywhere
else
.
So
if
you've
ever
had
to
call
in
sick
because
your
insides
felt
like
they
were
hosting
an
MMA
fight
and
someone
responded
with
I
get
bad
cramps
too
,
you're
not
imagining
the
impact
.
Your
health
and
your
work
life
do
intersect
,
and
recognizing
that
isn't
weakness
,
it's
wise
.
It's
time
we
stop
asking
patients
to
push
through
and
start
asking
what
support
they
actually
need
to
stay
in
the
game
.
Speaker 1
13:01
And
this
doesn't
just
impact
adults
.
This
impacts
a
wide
range
of
people
,
including
teenagers
Endometriosis in Adolescents
Speaker 1
13:07
.
Imagine
being
a
teenager
awkward
growing
spurts
,
pop
quizzes
,
social
landmines
and
,
oh
yeah
,
unrelenting
pelvic
pain
that
no
one
takes
seriously
.
That's
the
reality
for
many
teens
living
with
endometriosis
and
,
according
to
a
2018
study
in
the
Journal
of
Adolescent
Health
titled
Impact
of
Endometriosis
on
Quality
of
Life
in
Adolescents
.
Endo
and
adolescence
seriously
impacts
the
quality
of
life
across
the
board
physical
,
emotional
,
social
,
academic
.
The
researchers
found
that
adolescents
with
endo
reported
lower
scores
in
almost
every
domain
of
life
compared
to
their
peers
.
Fatigue
and
emotional
distress
were
common
,
and
many
said
they
felt
isolated
or
misunderstood
.
Speaker 1
13:51
And
let's
be
honest
when
you're
15
and
already
dealing
with
chronic
pain
,
being
told
just
toughen
up
or
wait
until
you're
older
and
it'll
even
out
is
about
as
helpful
as
a
soggy
band-aid
on
a
bullet
wound
.
Here's
what
this
study
makes
crystal
clear
a
soggy
band-aid
on
a
bullet
wound
.
Here's
what
this
study
makes
crystal
clear
.
Endometriosis
isn't
too
grown
up
to
affect
teens
,
and
it's
not
just
a
rite
of
passage
.
The
earlier
the
intervention
,
the
better
long-term
outlook
,
not
just
physically
,
but
emotionally
and
socially
too
.
Teens
deserve
validation
,
accurate
diagnosis
and
treatment
plans
that
acknowledge
their
entire
reality
,
not
just
their
uterus
.
So
let's
drop
the
wait
and
see
and
pick
up
,
listen
and
believe
,
because
teens
with
endo
aren't
being
dramatic
.
They're
being
dismissed
,
and
dismissal
has
a
real
consequence
that
can
ripple
into
adulthood
,
unless
we
decide
collectively
to
do
better
Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
Speaker 1
14:45
.
Speaker 1
14:45
If
there's
one
thing
I
hope
today's
episode
made
clear
,
it's
that
endometriosis
doesn't
play
by
simple
rules
.
It's
not
just
a
reproductive
issue
,
and
it's
definitely
not
something
you
can
yoga
or
positive
think
your
way
out
of
.
The
research
is
catching
up
to
what
so
many
of
us
have
already
known
.
Endo
affects
everything
mind
,
body
,
work
,
life
,
friendships
,
finances
and
,
yes
,
your
sanity
on
some
days
too
.
But
here's
the
hopeful
part
,
when
science
starts
to
zoom
out
to
connect
neurological
symptoms
,
hormonal
shifts
,
systemic
bias
and
chronic
pain
.
Speaker 1
15:19
It's
not
about
blaming
you
.
It's
about
understanding
the
bigger
picture
so
we
can
finally
build
care
that
makes
sense
.
You're
not
too
sensitive
,
you're
not
imagining
it
and
you're
definitely
not
a
mystery
diagnosis
waiting
to
be
solved
.
You're
a
whole
person
navigating
a
whole
body
disease
that
deserves
wholehearted
care
.
So
,
as
always
,
keep
asking
the
questions
,
keep
pushing
for
answers
and
know
that
you're
never
alone
in
this
.
I'm
right
here
with
you
,
podcast
mic
in
hand
,
cheering
you
on
and
reminding
you
.
Your
endo
battery
might
get
a
little
low
,
but
there's
always
a
recharge
Until
next
time
.
Continue
advocating
for
you
and
for
others
.
Bye
.