Some of you might recognise Erin Barnett from reality TV shows like Love Island and I’m a Celebrity. 

But you might not know how endometriosis and PCOS has affected her life. Erin has a new book out, Endo Unfiltered (Murdoch Books, $29.99), and reading about how she was dismissed by doctors at the age of 14 when she first complained about her pain and swelling – doctors who kept insisting that she must be pregnant when she’d never had sex – and then the 16 surgeries she’s had since being diagnosed with endometriosis and PCOS, it felt important to share her story when so many women are suffering in silence.

Approximately one out of nine women are affected by endometriosis. On average, it takes 6.5 years to be diagnosed while many remain undiagnosed for longer. 

In this chat with Women's Health editor-in-chief Lizza Gebilagin, Erin talks honestly about how living with the chronic disease has affected her life, relationships and work. We talk about themes that women are broadly affected by, like the idea that periods are meant to be painful and we should suck it up and carry on, and the frustrations of not being listened to by healthcare providers. 

We also talk about sensitive topics, like emotionally abusive relationships, being okay with no being able to have a baby, but also her anger at the fact it’s easier to get cosmetic surgery than it is to get a hysterectomy for her endo. 

SHOW NOTES:

Endometriosis Australia: https://www.endometriosisaustralia.org/

Endometriosis Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1544139309184531/

Australian & New Zealand Women With Endometriosis Support Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/425058554296380/about/

If you're the victim in an abusive relationship, call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit https://www.1800respect.org.au/, for support.

CREDITS:

This podcast was produced and hosted by WH editor-in-chief Lizza Gebilagin (https://instagram.com/lizza_marie/)

With special thanks to Erin Barnett (https://www.instagram.com/erin.alysha/)

For more from Women’s Health Australia, check out https://www.instagram.com/womenshealthaus/, https://www.womenshealth.com.au/ or find the print and digital editions of the magazine at https://www.womenshealth.com.au/subscribe-to-womens-health-australia-magazine.

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