Living With Adenomyosis is a Henpicked Lunch & Learn session focused on understanding a common but often misunderstood menstrual health condition that affects millions of women — yet frequently goes undiagnosed for years.
In this episode, Deborah Garlick, Founder of Henpicked, is joined by Henpicked's menstrual health expert Sally Leach to explore what adenomyosis is, how it differs from endometriosis, and why so many women are told their symptoms are "normal" — when they're anything but.
Adenomyosis can cause severe period pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue, brain fog, bloating, and pelvic pain, with a profound impact on quality of life, mental health, relationships, and work. Despite affecting an estimated 1 in 10 women, awareness remains low — even among those living with it.
This conversation covers:
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What adenomyosis actually is and how it affects the uterus
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Common symptoms — and why they're so often normalised
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The emotional and practical toll of living with chronic pain
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Why diagnosis can take years, and how to advocate for yourself
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The range of treatment options, from hormonal support to surgery
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Practical, lived-experience tips for managing symptoms day to day
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Why education and workplace understanding matter so much
This session is part of Henpicked's commitment to opening up honest conversations about menstrual health, helping women feel informed, believed, and supported — at work and in life.
👉 You can also read Henpicked's in-depth article on adenomyosis here: Understanding Adenomyosis – https://henpicked.net/menopause-hub/understanding-adenomyosis/
00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters Why adenomyosis is painful, exhausting, confusing — and still widely misunderstood
02:20 – What is adenomyosis? How it affects the uterus and how it differs from endometriosis
05:50 – How common is adenomyosis really? UK and global prevalence — and why awareness is still so low
06:20 – Symptoms explained Heavy bleeding, pelvic pain, fatigue, brain fog, bloating and pain during sex
09:30 – What counts as "heavy" bleeding? Clear signs your period may not be normal
10:45 – "This is just part of being a woman" Why symptoms are normalised — and the harm that causes
12:30 – The emotional impact of living with chronic pain Mental health, relationships, isolation and unpredictability
13:50 – Why diagnosis takes so long Dismissal, delayed referrals and being told you're "unlucky"
17:40 – Getting specialist support When and why to ask for a gynaecology referral
18:10 – Treatment options explained Hormonal treatments, pain management and surgical options
21:00 – Medically induced menopause (GnRH analogues) What they are, how they work, and key considerations
23:10 – Living with adenomyosis day to day Pain management tools, emotional support and community
25:00 – Lifestyle & self-management tips Diet, movement, stress, rest and tracking symptoms
26:50 – Advocating for yourself at medical appointments Four key questions to ask when discussing treatment
29:10 – Raising awareness & breaking the silence Why talking about adenomyosis matters — at home and at work
30:00 – Closing thoughts & next Henpicked Lunch & Learn
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If this episode resonated with you, please consider sharing it — awareness changes lives.
