little bitty girl

So I was a little slack on the workouts this week, and Stef, dear boy that he is, thought he was being "motivating" by giving me a hard time about it. To be fair, I do usually need a push as I don't have a natural yearning to go to the gym, and those of you who do, are sick, sick people. Anyways, but I really did have a good reason this time, it being "my time of the month."

This is the time where boys and some girls will roll their eyes and say "Oh, that excuse again!" Actually, it is a big deal because I like many women who have the same problem as me, have to deal with an "invisible" issue as the problem lies within. I have endometriosis, a common problem in women not often diagnosed and often ignored. There are many different symptoms but perhaps the most common one that I know are intense pelvic pains. And I know most women experience discomfort during their time of the month, but I am talking major. I used to get it so bad, that sometimes I would either pass out or throw up from the pain.

Anyways, you're probably wondering what endometriosis is and why it affects me. Well, in a nutshell, they're random tissues that are similar to those in the pelvic lining but found elsewhere in the body, usually near the pelvic area. So you know the "cycle" where your body is shedding its natural lining? (I am assuming everyone paid attention in sex ed class, of course where they discussed periods?) Well these random bits go through the same cycle, so it tries to rip itself off the body but it can't go anywhere so usually causes internal bleeding and inflamation. (At this point in time, you're probably thinking "Gross!" and you're right....it is gross) Hence the EXTREME PAIN on top of the NORMAL ONES!

Luckily for me, I had a laparoscopy done about two years ago, for some other problem but they zapped down those little monsters so I am not as affected. Although every so often, I do get attacks and it is very uncomfortable.

Especially when your new boss is a guy and you're in too much pain and embarassment to explain why you look like you're about to pass out. And when you tell your boyfriend that you can't work out because it's your time of month and he says in his sweet but dufus voice, "I don't know how these things work!" Stef, you should! You were there for the surgery, remember? And how I was describing the pain to you and trying to put it in a boys perspective, likened it to a million needles poked into your nuts and lit on fire?

Try to remember that the next time you give me a hard time the next time or I'll be forced to look for the sewing kit and demonstrate...

So moral of this story is - Boys, refer to all points in "Period - Tips for Men" as it is very useful.