In Sixteen Years of Endometriosis

Amy speaks to Orla O’Connor from Ireland and Jennifer Todd from Canada about traveling abroad for excision surgery. They share about: —what they think is most important to keep in mind when going to another country to medical care —their process for choosing a surgeon —logistics such as post op care and flying home after the surgery 🎤WHO IS ORLA AND JEN?🎤 Orla O’Connor is a fourth-year BSc Public Health Sciences student who runs a WhatsApp peer-support group that helps patients understand their options and feel less alone. Drawing on public-health training and lived community experience, Orla focuses on evidence-based information, practical checklists, and patient advocacy—especially for those considering diagnostic evaluation or surgery abroad. She signposts trusted clinical guidelines and Irish health-system pathways, helps members prepare referrals and reimbursement paperwork under the Cross-Border Directive, and promotes informed, shared decision-making with qualified specialists. Jennifer Todd is a mom, wife and Registered Nurse navigating life post endometriosis excision, hysterectomy, oophrectomy and bowel resection for stage 4 deep infiltrating endometriosis and severe adenomysosis. She has had two surgeries, one in Canada with an excision specialist and one in Mexico with an excision specialist and General surgeon. Traveling for surgery was intimidating but well worth it. Jennifer strongly believes patients are their own best advocates and hopes to encourage patients to trust themselves and push for the help they deserve. ☀️CONNECT WITH ORLA☀️ Instagram Orla @orlacorkendowarrior ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Dr. Jorge Carrillo about the complexity of chronic pelvic pain. We talk about: —his strategy for evaluating menstrual, bladder, bowel, musculoskeletal, and neuropathic symptoms in his patients —the biopsychosocial model of pain and why it’s important —the need for integrative pain care for endometriosis 🎤WHO IS DR. JORGE CARRILLO?🎤 Dr. Carrillo earned his degree as a Medical Doctor and Surgeon from the Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia. He then completed his residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics, followed by a Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Surgery with a focus on Chronic Pelvic Pain. He is a Professor in the Fellowship Program for Minimally Invasive Surgery at the Orlando VA and serves as the director for the residents rotating at the same institution. Dr. Carrillo is a member of the Board of Directors of the International Pelvic Pain Society (IPPS) and was the President-Elect of the Society for the 2024–2025 term. His passion lies in helping patients who suffer from chronic pelvic pain and in educating healthcare professionals about these conditions. His research and publications focus on raising awareness and educating both patients and colleagues about these issues. ☀️CONNECT WITH DR. CARRILLO☀️ Instagram @pelvic_paineducatormd 🔗www.pelvicpaineducation.com ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy and Brittany talk about self-forgiveness: —what it is —the benefits it provides —some examples of situations related to chronic illness that we’ve found difficult to let go of and forgive ourselves ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Today I’m speaking with Dr. John Dulemba about: —surgical gatekeeping —endometriosis recurrence —the importance of treating this disease early and not after years of symptoms 🎤WHO IS DR. JOHN DULEMBA?🎤 A now retired excision surgeon who was in private practice in Denton, Texas, from 1986-2023. He performed over 7300 endometriosis surgeries, both robotically and via standard laparoscopy, so he has a lot of insight on endometriosis. ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ The information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan. Keep in mind that while I strive to share evidenced-based information, this doesn’t always mean that my information is accurate or complete. Read my full disclaimer here: https://insixteenyears.com/disclaimer/

Amy speaks with Sharida Mohammed about: —how medical gaslighting caused her to doubt and invalidate her pain —how upsetting it is that treatment options are so limited and inaccessible for people with endo —her advice to others living with endometriosis 🎤WHO IS SHARIDA MOHAMMED?🎤 Sharida Mohammed is a graphic designer from the twin islands of Trinidad & Tobago. She has been living with endometriosis since the age of 12 and has undergone four surgeries for the condition. Sharida runs an Instagram page, Crushendo.tt, where she advocates for endometriosis awareness. ☀️CONNECT WITH SHARIDA ☀️ Instagram @crushendo.tt ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ Remember, the information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Amy speaks with Dr. Laura Gouge, ND about managing mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS). We talk about: —the varied symptoms we can have with MCAS, including neurological ones —the importance of a multimodal approach for addressing MCAS symptom drivers —what she’s learned over years of working with MCAS patients and what she would have done differently in her own MCAS journey 🎤WHO IS DR. LAURA GOUGE, ND?🎤 Dr. Laura Gouge is a licensed naturopathic doctor and Certified Nutrition Specialist with expertise in mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), POTS, long COVID, ADHD, anxiety, insomnia, histamine intolerance, and endometriosis. She earned her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from the National University of Natural Medicine (NUNM) in 2015, followed by a two-year residency in integrative medicine. Dr. Gouge helps patients uncover the root causes of chronic symptoms by connecting the dots between immune function, hormones, and the nervous system. Having navigated her own histamine-related health challenges, she brings a grounded, research-informed, and compassionate approach to helping people reduce sensitivities, restore energy, and reclaim a fuller life. ☀️CONNECT WITH DR. GOUGE☀️ Instagram @drlauragouge ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ Remember, the information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Amy and Brittany talk about what it’s like to live with chronic diarrhea: —the social embarrassment it can cause —the close calls we’ve had in public, including times we just didn’t make it to the toilet! —the unhealthy coping mechanisms we had ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ Remember, the information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Many of us understand the benefit of PFT for pelvic pain, bladder, and bowel symptoms, but it’s hard to know how to actually find an expert PT. Amy speaks with Abby De Angelis about: —where we can search online to start putting together names of potential PTs —what kind of questions we should ask them to judge their knowledge and treatment plans —examples of PFT practices they are likely to do during your appointment 🎤WHO IS ABBY DE ANGELIS?🎤 Abby De Angelis is a specialist in women’s physical therapy and has made it her mission to transform lives — especially during the profound and often complicated journey of chronic illness. Armed with a Doctorate from NYU and advanced certifications from the prestigious Hospital for Special Surgery, Abby brings rare expertise to women’s health and pelvic floor therapy. But what truly sets her apart is her gift for crafting personalized care plans that help women reclaim their strength, feel comfortable in their own skin, and more confident than ever in what their body is capable of! 🔗Resources🔗 Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode154 🔗Herman and Wallace Find a Practitioner: https://pelvicrehab.com/ ☀️CONNECT WITH ABBY☀️ Instagram @Lotustwinpt ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears ⚠️DISCLAIMER⚠️ Remember, the information on my platforms is educational information only and not medical advice. Always check with your qualified medical professional before making any changes to your treatment plan.

Amy speaks with Stephanie Moss, MD about: —the importance of trauma-informed medical care —how being an endometriosis patient has informed her perspective as a new doctor —navigating disability accommodations and her insights on this as a medical student 🎤WHO IS DR. STEPHANIE MOSS?🎤 Stephanie Moss, MD, is an endometriosis warrior and a PGY-2 Psychiatry Chief Resident Physician at Rosalind Franklin University. Dr. Moss is an active public speaker and writer, with her work featured on platforms like MedPageToday, the American Medical Women's Association, Endometriosis Foundation, and Doximity. Her mental health advocacy has focussed on sharing stories of humanism in medicine on her podcast Life as a Patient-Doctor. ☀️CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE☀️ Instagram @stephmossmd www.medpsycmoss.com ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with Tanner Murtagh about the nervous system. We talk about: —how having a flexible nervous system helps us to better face the challenges of our lives —Polyvagal theory and what a dysregulated nervous system is —ways we can regulate our nervous system for physical and emotional health benefits 🎤WHO IS TANNER MURTAGH, MSW, RSW?🎤 Tanner is a therapist who treats clients with chronic pain and symptoms that are fully or partly brain generated. He is the director of Pain Psychotherapy Canada, and co-director of MBody Community. Through his agencies, they provide therapy and a digital course for people who have chronic pain or symptoms. In his early 20s, Tanner began to experience anxiety, depression, chronic back pain, hip pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, arm pain, and headaches. At the time, he was told he had fibromyalgia and several other conditions, and he felt deeply confused because doctors and healthcare providers could not agree upon what was physically wrong with him. After several years of suffering in daily pain and anxiety, and having little success with various treatments, Tanner realized through his research that nothing was structurally wrong with his body and he had neuroplastic pain. Utilizing the same techniques he uses with his clients, he recovered from having symptoms of chronic pain, anxiety, and depression. ☀️CONNECT WITH TANNER☀️ Instagram @painpsychotherapy @MBodycommunity YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@painpsychotherapy Somatic Safety Method Course https://www.mbodycommunity.com/store ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with Rey about various topics. We talk about: —the independent research project they spearheaded which is focused on illustrating how improving practitioner education will result in positive patient outcomes. —why they made the decision to leave their country to seek expert treatment elsewhere. —their experience with MHT/HRT. 🎤WHO IS REY?🎤 Rey (they/she) is an independent patient advocate dedicated to raising awareness and driving change in endometriosis care. After a strong suspicion they suffered with endometriosis, they became actively involved in online advocacy, sharing knowledge and supporting others navigating the complexities of the disease. They underwent their first surgery in the UK in 2021 which confirmed disease. In 2022, a second surgery (due to persistent symptoms) happened in Bucharest which confirmed previously missed disease, adenomyosis and fibroids. They have remained symptom-free since. As a stakeholder in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Endometriosis, they work alongside policymakers and experts to push for systemic change. Committed to long-term advocacy, their mission is to empower patients, challenge outdated narratives, and ensure endometriosis is recognized and treated effectively. 🔗Resources🔗 Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode154 🔗Download Rey’s report here 🔗HRT/MHT in Endometriosis Patients ☀️CONNECT WITH REY☀️ Instagram @Reythewarrior ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Today Amy speaks with Dr. Tatnai Burnett about endometriosis treatment. We talk about: —the challenges of treating pain associated with superficial endo. —how endo needs a multimodal approach using all the tools in the toolbox. —his approach to exploring the causes of recurrent pain post excision. 🎤WHO IS DR. TATNAI BURNETT?🎤 Tatnai L. Burnett, M.D. is an assistant professor in obstetrics and gynecology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Following medical school and residency at the University of Michigan, he completed a 2 year fellowship in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery at Southern Illinois University before joining the faculty in his current position. Clinically, Dr. Burnett specializes in MIGS with a focus on endometriosis and pelvic pain. He coordinates a complex endometriosis program, the center of which is an interdisciplinary endometriosis conference that has advanced endometriosis care at Mayo Clinic. Research interests include endometriosis and its relationship to varying patient phenotypes and its coexistence with other pelvic pain generating diseases such as adenomyosis. ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Today Amy and Brittany talk about working with endometriosis: —the mental battle to decide when you’re “sick enough” to call out and take the day off —the pressure we might feel to hide how we are really feeling —how draining it can be to work with chronic illness and how much it can take out of you physically and emotionally Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode152 —Episode 89: Endometriosis and Disability ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Today Amy speaks with Christina Saldanha about HRT/MHT. We talk about: —options for hormone therapy such as: combined options, progestins vs progesterone, and using the pill in perimenopause. —the different types of estrogen and how much estrogen blood levels rise with systemic HRT/MHT vs blood levels during our cycling years —how soon a person should begin HRT/MHT after surgical menopause 🎤WHO IS CHRISTINA SALDANHA?🎤 Christina Saldanha is a PA, writer, speaker, and fierce advocate for women's health. She owns her own independent private practice in Winston Salem, NC, where she provides primary care to women across the lifespan but with special focus on hormone health, menopause, and sexual health. She graduated from High Point University PA school in 2017, and she started working in a gynecologic oncology clinic taking care of gynecologic cancer survivors, patients on active treatment, first assisting in the operating room, and taking care of patients admitted to the hospital. Her favorite part of this job was helping gynecologic cancer survivors navigate menopause and sexual health after cancer treatment. This led her to become a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, an AASECT Certified Sexuality Counselor, and an International Society for the Study of Women's Sexual Health Fellow. She opened her practice to meet women where they are at in their health and wellness journey. 🔗RESOURCES🔗 For clickable links to the resources below, go to www.insixteenyears.com/episode151 🔗Christina’s website and resources 🔗Research on HRT in endometriosis patients ☀️CONNECT WITH CHRISTINA☀️ Instagram: @camelcitywomenswellness ☀️CONNECT WITH AMY☀️ Instagram @in16yearsofendo Website: www.insixteenyears.com Like my show? Please rate it or leave a review! Support me by buying me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

How Can Emotions Influence Our Pain and Symptoms? Today Amy speaks with Anna Holtzman about mind-body pain. We talk about: —how black and white thinking in the mind-body world has led to gaslighting patients and harm. —some of the ways that mind-body practices have helped us as people who had chronic pain. —how are goals for our symptoms aren’t focused anymore on being 100% pain free, but rather on improving quality of life and knowing how to support ourselves on high symptom days. Both Anna and I recognize the harm that can come from practitioners believing that all pain is mind-body, or is a manifestation of stress/emotions, or is from learned pain pathways (this type of pain goes by many names online!) We have a very nuanced conversation with a conscious goal of acknowledging this harm while also focusing on how some of the ways that learning about how emotions can effect the body may help some people improve the experience of having their pain/symptoms, whether physically or emotionally. WHO IS ANNA HOLTZMAN? Anna Holtzman is a licensed therapist and mind-body coach who helps people reduce stress-related symptoms and connect with their purpose. She came into this work through her own recovery from a ten-year struggle with persistent migraine attacks. Anna lives in New York City with her husband, stepdaughter, and three orange cats. Clickable links at www.insixteenyears.com/episode150 —My review of the Curable app CONNECT WITH ANNA: INSTAGRAM: @anna_holtzman CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with Lula Cuba about: -how impossible it can be to find trustworthy endo information for non-English speakers -her experience as an adolescent with endo growing up in difficult housing conditions -the importance of checking your medical charts for mistakes, misdiagnoses, and harmful comments. Who is Lula Cuba? Lula Cuba is 33 years old annd from Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay. She was diagnosed with endometriosis in 2020 after more than 10 years searching for answers. Since hearing the word endometriosis, she dedicated herself to reading and learning about the topic. Lula runs the Instagram account Endocomunidad, where she seeks to show what it's like to live with endometriosis and other chronic diseases and show that having a disability doesn't make you incapable. Her tireless efforts brought the documentary Below the Belt to Montevideo, and now, thanks to that screening, new initiatives are being developed in her country's parliament, and endometriosis is gaining more visibility in Uruguay. CONNECT WITH LULA: INSTAGRAM: @endocomunidad CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Listen to 2 chapters from Amy’s audiobook: -Chapter 8: “Climbing Out from Rock Bottom”-Chapter 56: “Be Proud of Yourself” Amy’s book is available as a paperbook, e-book, and audiobook. See where to find it here: https://insixteenyears.com/where-to-find-my-book/ CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy speaks with Dr. Naomi Whittaker about: -what NaPro Technology is and how it’s goal is to identify and address the underlying causes of gynecologic issues and infertility -some of the tools that have helped her patients with fertility, such as formal cycle instruction and charting, intentional adhesion prevention during excision surgery, and the use of progesterone. -the difference between NaPro Technology and IUI and IVF. Who is Dr. Naomi Whittaker? Dr. Naomi Whittaker is a board-certified restorative reproductive medicine physician and surgeon specializing in fertility and has received the Focused Practice Designation in Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a 2013 graduate of Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, Nebraska. She completed a residency in obstetrics and gynecology at University of Illinois College of Medicine-Peoria in 2017 and is fellowship trained in medical and surgical NaProTechnology by The Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha, Nebraska. Connect with Dr. Whittaker: RRMAcademy.org - Free endometriosis self-survey, research library, and more.Instagram: @Napro_Fertility_Surgeon CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy and Brittany both follow an individualized diet for endo and chronic illness, which they’ve each been on for over a decade. They talk about the mistakes they made when they changed their way of eating for, such as: -cutting out too many foods at once with no focus on bringing in new foods-waiting too long to learn how to cook-not realizing they needed mental health support for the feelings that came up around diet change. This episode is a continuation of the previous episode on how we changed our perspective in relation to our diet. CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears

Amy and Brittany both follow an individualized diet for endo and chronic illness, which we’ve each been on for over 15 years. While at first we abhorred our way of eating and found it tedious and a chore, we now embrace it as something that helps us feel our best, and isn’t even hard to follow anymore. We talk about this shift in the way we see our food choices and how we got there, such as by: -understanding how diet culture played a role in our thinking-identifying our true priorities with our health-supporting ourselves through the emotional grief that came with diet change. CONNECT WITH US! INSTAGRAM: @in16yearsofendoWEBSITE AND RESOURCES: insixteenyears.comLIKE OUR SHOW? Please rate it or leave a review!SUPPORT US by buying us a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/insixteenyears