Over the last couple of month, I’ve happened to attend a higher than average number of medical appointment. Nothing serious, just routine check -ups, some monitoring by my specialists, bloodwork and vaccinations.

For most of these meetings I’ve had to verbally confirm and update my medical history – often to a nurse or medical professional whom I’ve never met before.

I’ve noticed that I’ve become pretty good at summarising my existing heath conditions. In fact, I consider my self an expert at summarising my endo, surgeries, complications, and current status and symptoms in under 30 seconds. If that was an Olympic sport, I think I’d probably place for a medal.

“Oh that’s a lot of surgeries, surely they have fixed you by now?”

“Wow, so young to have so many health issues. But I suppose endo is really common, isn’t it?”

“Gosh, that sounds like a lot of symptoms, have you considered you might have an autoimmune condition?”

While educating others, particularly medical professionals, on endo can be a rewarding and fulfilling past-time, it is also very tiring. So, in the interest of saving time and energy here is my list of the things I wish everyone knew about endo:

• Endo is a chronic condition – currently there is no cure.
• The cause of endo remains unknown.
• Endo is exhausting – bone crushingly so. Endo fatigue is real and shouldn’t be underestimated.
• Most people with endo have waited a long time for diagnosis. The national average remains over 6.5 years.
• Many people will have explained their symptoms countless times to medical professionals without being listened to or heard. Sometimes even telling your story can be triggering.
• Endo is a full body disease. It has been found in every organ of the body. Cases have been found in the brain, liver, kidneys, bone, and heart. It is not just a disease affecting the uterus.