What you might not know about the American author
It's estimated that one in 10 people with a uterus suffer from endometriosis during their reproductive years, usually between the ages of 15 and 49.
There's no definitive cure for endometriosis. Even a hysterectomy doesn't guarantee full relief from the symptoms. The 'best option' is a hysterectomy with ovaries removed at the same time. It's clear that a lot more research and greater awareness are needed.
The singer, who uses she/they pronouns, is always one of the first to speak out on subjects that need the spotlight. They have been open about their struggles with the condition on social media since 2016, revealing that they've undergone multiple surgeries for the condition and on one awful occasion even had a miscarriage while performing on stage. Studies show that endometriosis hugely increases the risk of miscarriage and fertility issues.
The actress revealed in an interview that she has struggled with her symptoms since she was a young girl, but only received her diagnosis when she was 28.
Halsey welcomed their first child, son Ender, in July 2021 with boyfriend Alev Aydin. Just before the 2022 Grammys, Halsey revealed that they'd undergone another endometriosis surgery, sharing in a post that they were in and out of hospital due to complications of the condition."Trying my best to keep things normal; Grammys, Coachella etc. But my body is putting up a strong protest. And ultimately demanding that I slow down or stop foreal this time." They warned fans they might go M.I.A. for a while to take some time to fully rest and recover. "Chronic illness is a complex mystery," they wrote.
She had been experiencing extremely heavy menstrual bleeding and sexual pain for years and seen nine different doctors, who each had something different to say, before she finally found out it was endometriosis.
She has bravely shared her story and went on to co-found the Endometriosis Foundation of America. The organization aims to raise awareness and provide better training to medical professionals.
If there's a feminist issue to be discussed, you know Lena Dunham is all over it. The writer and actress has been open about her endometriosis journey for the past several years, during which time she's undergone many surgeries.
Jessica Williams is one of the hosts of the awesome podcast '2 Dope Queens,' where she gets real about all sorts of topics.
Amy Schumer gave birth to her first child, baby Gene, in 2019. Doctors didn't expect that she'd be able to carry a baby to term due to the severity of her condition.
She gave birth via C-section, but the surgery took three hours due to her endometriosis. Her recovery was painful, but she shared an Instagram post stating that it was still the best year of her life.
This accepted belief that being a woman is inherently painful is what keeps a lot of women suffering unnecessarily for decades.
The legendary Dolly Parton was suffering from endometriosis decades ago, long before it was a well-known disorder. She had a partial hysterectomy due to the condition in 1985.
She told newspapers that it was one of the worst times of her life, and she wished every day that she had the nerve to kill herself. That's a dark insight into the suffering that some women live with.
The 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' singer revealed that she was gravely ill with endometriosis but refused to undergo surgery due to the risk of infertility. Thankfully, she had her son in 1997.
See also: Stars who suffer from chronic illnesses
She spoke about how people find it hard to believe that women are in pain, especially women of color. She believes this is why it's so difficult for sufferers to get a diagnosis, often taking multiple doctors and a huge amount of money and time.
The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is with a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy. A camera is inserted into the pelvis through an incision. It can often be difficult to get a prescription for this procedure if doctors don't recognize the severity of the symptoms.
The symptoms include extremely painful periods, heavy bleeding, pain during or after intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, fatigue, and infertility.
Some days the pain is so excruciating that the sufferer can't even stand up. This leads to frequent sick days from work and other problems in many areas of their lives.
Endometriosis is an extremely common illness that has recently become a talking point in the gender equality discussion. The symptoms of the condition are similar to that of a bad period, but exponentially worse. The pain can be extremely debilitating and affect a person's overall mental and physical health. Sadly, a lack of awareness among sufferers and health care professionals has resulted in the normalization of these symptoms, to the degree that many women don't get diagnosed for years. As a result, more and more celebrities are using their platforms to raise awareness about this highly prevalent but sadly neglected condition.
Click through this gallery to learn more about endometriosis and the famous women who suffer from it.
Celebs open up about their struggles with endometriosis
It's a condition that affects a great number of women worldwide
CELEBRITY Health
Endometriosis is an extremely common illness that has recently become a talking point in the gender equality discussion. The symptoms of the condition are similar to that of a bad period, but exponentially worse. The pain can be extremely debilitating and affect a person's overall mental and physical health. Sadly, a lack of awareness among sufferers and health care professionals has resulted in the normalization of these symptoms, to the degree that many women don't get diagnosed for years. As a result, more and more celebrities are using their platforms to raise awareness about this highly prevalent but sadly neglected condition.
Click through this gallery to learn more about endometriosis and the famous women who suffer from it.