People Who Ignored Their Health Problems Share What They Wish They Paid Attention To Sooner

(Cont’d) “They did ultrasounds and told me everything was normal, yet it took 10 Depo-Provera pills to stop my cycle that had already been going for 59 days straight. Something wasn’t normal. I begged and begged for a second opinion. (I’m a veteran with VA care, so it’s always a waiting game when you need help).”

“I finally got my second opinion four months later. I have endometrial cancer, and I am going to have a total hysterectomy at 33 years old next week. I’m not happy, but it’s easier to process knowing what the problem is. And I can’t help but wonder if someone had listened to me for all the years I was complaining, if maybe there could have been a treatment for my endometriosis before it turned cancerous.

So no, a normal cycle should not be 10-15 days per month. No, you should not feel like you are giving birth every month (cramping is normal, but it should not be so severe that you can’t walk). If you are bleeding so much you have to resort to wearing a diaper — that’s not normal. And if the doctor won’t listen to you, make them. Don’t wait until you are so anemic you need a transfusion (also not normal), and if you have every single symptom and they tell you the imaging is normal — make them get you a second opinion. Being a woman is hard, but it doesn’t mean suffering in silence. Speak up.”

—Anonymous, 33, Female, Alabama