I grew up in a family of doctors and yet I was shocked to learn I had endometriosis – CBC

The culture of silence in women’s health means endometriosis is still not well understood

Mar 31, 2025

I vividly recall the days my older sisters got their first periods. For one, it was a celebratory affair in our home in Brazil — our extended family gathered, and champagne was poured as if they had reached a grand milestone.

That was not the case for me. When the day finally came where I got my period, I found myself standing in a school bathroom, staring at the unfamiliar sight in disbelief. My first thought was that it explained why I had been so irritated the day before, simply thinking I had premenstrual syndrome (PMS). I didn’t realize my relationship with my period would not be cause for celebration, but the start of a tumultuous journey fraught with pain.

Endometriosis is a chronic and inflammatory illness in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus implant abnormally outside the uterus and form lesions, cysts and other growths. It’s an illness that affects almost two million Canadians and millions more worldwide.

I grew up in a family of doctors and yet I was shocked to learn I had endometriosis – CBC

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