Dear Canadian endometriosis community, At The Endometriosis Network Canada (TENC), we firmly believe that every person with endometriosis in Canada deserves access to timely diagnosis and management of their disease. Unfortunately, we know that the reality is too many people wait years to be diagnosed. The delay to diagnosis negatively impacts every aspect of life, including physical, emotional, social and financial wellbeing.  Today, I was honoured to join Julie Dabrusin, Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth, on behalf of the Honourable Mark Holland, Canada’s Minister of Health, to ..read more

Continuing the conversation about what friends, family, and colleagues should know to support those with endometriosis Written by Lyndsy Graphic design by Terris Schneider Mentions of gendered language in research. In our previous article about being an endo ally, we discussed some of the basics of endometriosis (“endo”) that friEndos and allies can learn. This week, we’ll get into the specifics of what you can do to be the best endo ally possible.   How can you be an endo ally? First, do your research. …By reading this blog, you’ve gotten off to a good start! Educating yourself on the b ..read more

What friends, family, and colleagues should know to support those in their circle with endometriosis Written by Lyndsy Graphic design by Terris Schneider Mentions of gendered language in research. If you’re struggling with endometriosis (“endo”) – whether formally diagnosed or not – you likely understand the challenges of explaining your condition to others. And, if you are a friend, family member, employer, coworker, or acquaintance of somebody with endometriosis, you may have difficulty grasping what the disease is and what it actually means to support somebody with this chronic, debilitati ..read more

Essential communication tips and resources for navigating the world of endometriosis Written by Terris Schneider Source links contain gendered language. Discussions of pain with sex and intimacy. Communication is essential when navigating endometriosis. It is key to helping you and others understand what you’re going through, so that you can make informed decisions about your health. We compiled the essential tips and techniques from previously published articles on The Endometriosis Network Canada’s (TENC) blog and other impactful resources that can help you and others find support at school ..read more

My journey with endometriosis by Jena Wren Written by Jena Wren Graphic design by Terris Schneider Content warning: medical gaslighting, medical trauma, gendered language My health is something that has always been on my mind. Being diagnosed with celiac disease at five gave me an acute awareness of my body. For those first five years, I was very sick. Thankfully, the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) determined through an endoscope that the cause of all this was an autoimmune disorder, and I was highly allergic to gluten. The diagnosis process was filled with needles, poking, pro ..read more

An overview of extrapelvic endometriosis and why living with the disease is more than a “bad period” By Terris Schneider Mentions of gendered language in research. One of the biggest misunderstandings about endometriosis is that it’s solely a “bad period” or a reproductive illness. However, as many know, endometriosis (“endo”) is now considered a whole-body disease that can impact various organs and systems throughout the body. This article discusses and explores extrapelvic endometriosis, and how complex endometriosis is as a disease. What is extrapelvic endometriosis? According to Extrapel ..read more

Uncovering why the information gaps exist and how we can support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis folks with endometriosis By Terris Schneider Please note the following content and trigger warnings: gendered language in research and statistics, racism, infant and parental mortality, violence, colonization, sexual violence, medical trauma. The Endometriosis Network Canada gratefully acknowledges the many traditional, ancestral and unceded territories of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples whose land we live, work and gather on. Indigenous Peoples in Canada* are being left out of the endomet ..read more

My life before – and after – an extremely delayed diagnosis and gaslighting Mentions of miscarriage, hospitalization and medical gaslighting. Source links contain gendered language. If you’re a fellow endo warrior, I’m sure you’ve heard something like this before from other people: “Oh, endometriosis, I know so many people with that! Have you ever thought about taking extra strength ibuprofen for it? What about yoga? At least it isn’t *insert another disease here*; I hear that’s way worse.” But after fifteen years of suffering, I decided, at the age of 27, I’d start opening up about my journe ..read more

On endometriosis advocacy, the patient voice and a national action plan     By Terris Schneider Source links contain gendered language. In our previous blog post, we discussed EndoAct Canada and how it is helping people with endometriosis in Canada*. We had the chance to speak with Philippa Bridge-Cook, co-chair of EndoAct Canada, who explained the important aspects of EndoAct and how you can get involved. The Endometriosis Network Canada (TENC): Why is EndoAct so important? Philippa Bridge-Cook (PBC): In Canada, people with endometriosis are suffering because the healthcare system ..read more

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