Not Defined by Endo

Up to 50% of women with Endometriosis experience infertility issues. This means that many eventually choose to go through the process of assisted fertility. Over the years, the success rates of assisted fertility methods have increased, and 1 in 4 treatment cycles are said to be successful. For those less than 35 years old, the success rates increase to 1 in 3. 

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is when eggs are collected from the ovaries and then combined with the sperm in a laboratory dish, and any fertilised embryos are then implanted into the womb. 

Today’s conversation is with Kristen, an embryologist whose job it is to care for the embryos from the time of egg retrieval to when is it safely implanted in the woman’s uterus. Kristen will be sharing with us what her job is like, what the process of IVF entails and what makes her job so fulfilling. Kristen's Instagram page is @ilikemyeggsfertilised. Go show her some love!

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Intro Music

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

This episode, we will be talking about how to navigate an endo diagnosis, and the process, especially for those that are resident in the UK. 

Dr. Shaheen Khazali is an internationally renowned expert in advanced endometriosis surgery. His practice, both on the NHS and privately, is almost exclusively dedicated to looking after women with the most severe forms of endometriosis when the disease has affected other organs such as the bowel, bladder, ureters and pelvic nerves.

He also sees and treats women with other benign gynaecological conditions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, ovarian cysts and menstrual disorders.

He is also an NHS Consultant at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (ASPH) in Surrey. ASPH has a long history in the treatment of severe endometriosis for many years and was one of the first few centres accredited for treatment of severe endometriosis by the British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy (BSGE). In 2012 Mr Khazali co-founded CEMIG (Centre for Endometriosis and Minimally Invasive Gynaecology) at ASPH, which has been one of the busiest accredited centres for the treatment of severe endometriosis in the UK. In 2018 and again in 2019, CEMIG treated more patients than any other accredited endometriosis centre in the UK, making it the busiest BSGE centre in the country.

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Intro Music

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

A board-certified Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation physician, Dr. Ahmed is also a fellow of the Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and a member of the International Pelvic Pain Society.

After spending the last five years honing her skills in outpatient care, Dr. Ahmed is ready to focus on her passion for treating pelvic pain. Dr. Ahmed has chosen a focused practice at pelvicrehabilitation.com, because she believes concentrating on a specific field creates the greatest expertise. Chasing that greatness has been her consistent driving force.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Music

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

Pain is no stranger to chronic illness sufferers, in fact, sometimes it feels like we don’t remember what it feels like to be without pain. 

Many of us have been told that the pain is only in our heads, which only serves to unfairly invalidate what we are going through. 

But what exactly is pain? Is it caused by strange endometriosis implants in our bodies? Is it caused by inflammation? Is it caused by structural abnormalities within our organs, muscles, or bones? How are pain signals transmitted from the brain? These are all very important questions and today’s episode is with Dr. Howard Schubiner, a clinician, author, and researcher who has conducted ground-breaking research on a treatment plan that can resolve, rather than manage, chronic pain. 

He is the director of the Mind-Body Medicine Center at Providence Hospital in Southfield, Michigan, and a Clinical Professor at Wayne State University and Michigan State University School of Medicine. He has authored over 60 scientific publications and lectures nationally and internationally.  

Dr. Howard is the author of the book Unlearn Your Pain and co-author of the book Hidden from View - A clinician's guide to psychophysiological disorders. 

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Music

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

Many Endometriosis sufferers have either also been diagnosed with PCOS, or suspect that they have PCOS. Some of the symptoms suffered are similar and some of the deficiencies overlap. That's why we will be talking to a PCOS Expert today.

Angela Grassi, MS, RDN, LDN, has spent 20 years as an internationally known nutrition and health expert on PCOS. She suffers from the disease herself and knows how frustrating it is to live with the disease. She provides help to people with PCOS to improve their health through evidence-based nutrition.

There's so much to take away from this conversation so enjoy!

To learn more about Angela and her work, go to www.pcosnutrition.com.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Books:

The PCOS Workbook: Your Guide To Complete Physical And Emotional Health

The PCOS Nutrition Center Cookbook: 100 Easy And Delicious Whole Food Recipes To Beat PCOS

Music:

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

Today, we will be discussing the psychology of sex. This is a topic that makes many uncomfortable. There is a stigma when it comes to speaking about any difficulties one is experiencing with sex. However, many endometriosis sufferers are silently experiencing painful sex as a symptom of their disease. I will be speaking today to Dr. Lauren Fogel Mersy. Dr. Lauren is a psychologist, relationship therapist, and certified sex therapist. She specialises in sexual difficulties such as low libido, problems with arousal, orgasm difficulties, and sexual relationship problems. She is currently writing her first book about libido. Her practice is in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate, and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Books: 

Come as You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski 

When Sex Hurts: A Woman's Guide to Banishing Sexual Pain by Andrew T. Goldstein, Caroline F. Pukall, and Irwin Goldstein 

Becoming Cliterate: Why Orgasm Equality Matters - and How to Get It by Laurie Mintz 

Music:

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

Today’s conversation is with Katie Edmonds, a Certified Nutritional Therapist certified through the Nutritional Therapy Association and a Paleo Autoimmune Protocol certified coach. She founded Heal Endo, a diet and lifestyle approach to aid the body in healing from the worst symptoms of Endometriosis. Katie wrote a 100-page evidence-based book on the dreaded endo-belly, and has also authored the 4-Week Endometriosis Meal Plan.

If you've battled with endo for years or are newly diagnosed, this may be the holistic lifestyle approach to endo you have been missing. Based on a whole-foods, whole-movement, and whole-lifestyle approach to reclaiming your life. You can find out more on www.healendo.com. You can also buy Katie’s book on Amazon, it is available in both the Kindle and Paperback versions. 

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo!

 Music:

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

It is hard enough that many of us have been going through pain and ill-health for so many years. Now we are told that most of our appointments have been canceled because of the Coronavirus (Covid19) pandemic. We fear that our ill-health could make us more susceptible to the virus. And all of these fears, stress, and worries result in endometriosis pain flares, to make matters even worse.

So, the question is, are we at any more risk than other people?

Listen to my thoughts on the matter.

Remember that I am not a medical professional, so everything I share is simply to inspire and remind you that you are not alone. Remember to speak to a medical professional before making any changes to your diet or lifestyle.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

Links:

Symptom Tracker: www.covid.joinzoe.com

Babylon Health: https://www.babylonhealth.com/

Push Doctor: https://www.pushdoctor.co.uk/

Music:

Lights Of Elysium - AERØHEAD https://soundcloud.com/aerohead

Today’s conversation is with Jessica Drummond of Integrative Women’s Health Institute.

Jessica equips thousands of clients to start their own health coaching practices and regularly lectures on topics such as integrative pelvic pain management, natural fertility options, optimal hormone health, and functional and integrative nutrition for rehabilitation, nutrition, wellness, fitness, and medical professionals.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

 Music:

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO 

Today's conversation is with a warrior. A warrior in name and deed.

Alex has been through a lot with her endometriosis. The common myth to take out your uterus was debunked in her case as she presented with thoracic endometriosis even after her hysterectomy. Excision surgery was what gave Alex a chance to enjoy life once again and be present for her husband and her two sons.

Alex is a voice and an advocate for women with endometriosis all over the world and it was great to have her on the show.

If you are interested in telling your story, please reach out to me through my email or social media.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love to know. Join me on Instagram and Facebook. You can also join our community on Health Unlocked and ask any questions or share your stories. 

Don't forget to share, rate and subscribe to this podcast. 

If you also have any questions to ask or topics you would like me to discuss, feel free to shoot me an email on [email protected]. I love to hear from you all. 

Till next time, remember, you are not defined by endo! 

 Music:

Underground Stars by Loxbeats https://spoti.fi/34tPBBO