One woman’s journey to diagnosis, hope, and advocacy

Tsakani – March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time for raising awareness about this condition affecting millions worldwide.

“I had my first period in Grade Nine, and from the word go, I had the most hectic period pains. There were times I missed school. My periods were heavy and irregular. I bled for no less than 10 days monthly,” explained Nomawethu Ndaba.

After seeing her daughter’s painful experience for years, Ndaba’s mom took her to a doctor.

“They told us a hormonal imbalance caused all my symptoms, so she prescribed contraceptive pills,” she added.

Although the medication did not eradicate all the symptoms, it helped shorten the number of days she bled.

“I suffered every single month. The pain worsened with every cycle,” she said.

Ndaba said she never gave up trying to understand what was happening with her body. In 2016, she had the chance to work as an au pair in the USA.

“I got so sick when I was there. That is when I decided I would be aggressive until I found the answers I needed,” Ndaba added.

When she returned to SA, Ndaba saw a gynaecologist and asked for a complete checkup.

“That is how I found out I had endometriosis and adenomyosis,” said Ndaba.

What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when tissue that usually lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus, often in the pelvic cavity. This misplaced tissue can cause pain, inflammation and scarring, leading to several symptoms.

The condition can affect fertility and can cause significant pain, including painful periods, pelvic pain, and pain during sexual intercourse.

What is adenomyosis?
Adenomyosis is when tissue that usually lines the uterus (endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, causing an enlarged uterus and potentially painful, heavy periods.

“They also found out I had fibroids and cysts, and that caused me so much pain all those years. It was a lot to take in. I thought that finding out what it was would give me peace, but I had more to deal with. I had heaps of medication to take,” she explains.

Ndaba said that the most discouraging part of all her consultations was doctors telling her she had little to no chance of having children naturally.

“I prayed because I believed God could heal me. I also realised many women have endometriosis, and they do not know that. So many people just accept that pain during a period is normal, but it is not,” she added.

Ndaba has had countless surgeries.

To educate other women, especially girls, Ndaba started her initiative, Her Fight, My Fight. Ndaba was lucky to conceive and gave birth to a baby girl two years ago.

“It has not been an easy journey, but there is help out there,” she concluded.

The cause of endometriosis is not fully understood.