Shownotes Transcript
Atlanta native Samantha Denäe is a former magazine writer and entertainment blogger-turned novelist, poet, and screenwriter. At the age of 24, she was diagnosed with endometriosis – and turned this devastating revelation into a gift, making it her mission to educate women around the world through partnerships with the Endometriosis Foundation of America and The ENPOWR Project’s Endo Edukit, among others. An outspoken advocate for women living with endometriosis, she bares all in educational workshops and social media posts. While holistic approaches have helped her begin to control her symptoms, she presents a unique take on the nature of women’s pain – and whether or not we were born to suffer.
**Tune in as Samantha shares… **
that she has lived with pain and nausea since she was 12 years old
that she was initially brushed off and offered ibuprofen for her pain and long, heavy menstrual cycles
that she was diagnosed in 2014, and first heard the term “endometriosis” weeks before graduating from college – after a near-codeine-overdose (and not being educated on narcotics by the doctor who prescribed them)
that she was given the firm diagnosis of endometriosis when she had cysts removed
that within 3-4 years, she went from stage 1 to stage 4 endo
that she experiences bladder difficulties because of the growth of endometrium and scar tissue – mainly urgency – but that she still needs excision surgery
that endometriosis spreads like a cancer, and is also the precursor to ovarian cancer if left untreated
the misconception that full hysterectomy or pregnancy can reduce/remove symptoms – and that these options are not fail-safe
that for years, she tried to convince herself that her pain was manageable
that she deals with pain and fatigue regularly, in relation to her cycle
that negative self-talk produces negative reactions in the body – and she’s learned to shift her anger at her body into love and acceptance
that she’s come to the realization that she lives with endo for a reason – to be an advocate for others
that she experienced depression in the early stages of her diagnosis and treatment – and that she continues to experience anxiety around every menstrual cycle
the effect that endo has on female fertility
that she has tried many methods of birth control, and none regulated her period and endo symptoms – most gave her 90-day cycles
that giving up birth control, yoni steams, meditation, and diet change have been the most useful methods of symptom regulation for her
that she’s wary of hormones in food – particularly in meat and dairy – and has removed chicken and dairy from her diet accordingly
that endometriosis has had an adverse effect on her romantic relationships – in that her fertility is effected, and that sex can often be painful
that women with endometriosis have their own shock to deal with before handling a partner in the picture – and that healing from trauma is ongoing work
the importance of connecting spiritually with a partner before jumping to sex – especially when you have to make physical adjustments because of a medical condition
that her mother was the most difficult person to explain her endo to – and was against her first surgery until her doctor sat her down and explained it all to her
that at one stage she was given chemo treatment for her endo, which put her into early menopause
that she really connected to the community through social media, and that this connection has truly aided in her healing
that through social media, she connected to other women of color living with endometriosis – and that this was particularly poignant because it’s not a condition often discussed in her community
that children aren’t learning enough about reproductive health in school – including menstrual cycles and more complex conditions
that the focus of her advocacy is in educating kids
the misconception that endometriosis doesn’t occur among black women
the lack of information and research on endometriosis among black women
the total misconception that African American women can stand higher levels of pain
the high suicide rate associated with endometriosis
her opinion that birth control is a form of general population control – and was invented in order to stop black women from reproducing
the connection between birth control use and rising infertility rates in the US
her favorite green smoothie recipe This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit uninvisiblepod.substack.com)