I completely understand how you feel! you should not feel bad for feeling hurt by that. A lot of times I go into such depth and detail too, because you almost have to break it down for people to understand just how severe it is. no, its not just CRAMPS. I do not feel embarrassed at all to talk about it. even when I use uncomfortable words like, rectum, bowels, cervix, uterus...all these words can be "icky" sounding to some people, but we are all adults here and we all have these "parts" I honestly think it was child like for her to be offended by tmi. like you said, she is your best friend..and maybe it wasn't even what you said that bothered her...something else could have erked her. I have friends and they know all about it and then some..some people are just overly sensitive. Do not let what anyone thinks of you effect you..some people may look down on you for this disease, but the reality is that we are so very strong and special to be able to endure something like this. HUGS! Also, maybe talking to her about how that made you feel would help.

I agree with the other two posters. Never be ashamed. Women are made to feel as if we have to suffer in silence because the symptoms of our "disease" aren't "politically correct." Eff that. I'm tired of it. (Keep in mind that I'm hormonal with my endo right now, lol.) Like jennysain said, it's not just cramps. It's not like we're falling apart for a day or two a month because we're bleeding and cramping a bit. It greatly diminishes our quality of life. The vast majority of us are in at least a little bit of pain 24/7. It doesn't go away just because AF does. Now, I don't go into detailed descriptions of the bleeding or the bowel issues, but I'll say that I'm sick to my stomach constantly and never have a regular cycle. I'll say that I have to plan my "special time" with hubby around the handful of days a month when sex will be the least painful. And that after every time I have a BM, I'm normally doubled over in pain for at least 15-30 minutes, trying to recuperate enough to walk. No longer should we suffer in silence. Like nikkifr pointed out. there are so many women out there who are having these symptoms and don't even know it. Until I found this board, I basically thought I was a freak and that my blood thinner made me bleed more, which made me cramp more. Then when they started finding blood in my urine and sent me in to the urologist for kidney testing and all, I had no clue what was going on. Neither did the urologist. It wasn't until I found this board and started researching endo that it even occurred to me that my symptoms and pains were signs that my endo had come back (it had been dormant after the lap when I was 19, thanks to bcp and pregnancies). We NEED to talk about it and spread the word. That's the only chance we have of ever finding a cure.

I can see why you'd be kinda hurt, although I am sure she did not mean it to be hurtful. I honestly don't feel like I have any non-family members I can talk to about it and it's difficult. I am not really close to my sisters so I've not even told them - although my mom did tell the one I would be most likely to talk about it with anyway. Dealing with it day in and day out just sometimes makes you want to explode and talk to someone! Glad to have this group!

It's hard because I find people have drastically different ideas of TMI and "socially appropriate" conversation. Some people are just squeamish! Maybe your friend is a little on the squeamish side is all? I can tell my sister-in-law all the gory details and even showed her the pictures from my lap, but none of my actual sisters.

Thanks for the kind words! I know I think too much about what other people think, in general, but I guess her words just made me wonder how I publicly deal with endo. I don't really always know if I look sick or how my words come across or what people really think. I guess it shouldn't matter. So, i guess it hurt more because it was dealing with a subject I was already sensitive about.

Anyways, I love coming here and talking to people who get it. Thanks for the encouragement. :)

Aww, I totally know how you feel..unfortunately. Its blatantly obvious that my best friend of 10 years hasn't taken so much as 30 minutes to look up endometriosis, what it is or the impact it has had on my life for the past 15 years. Its really disheartening and I'm sorry your best friend wasn't understanding. I mean, come on...if it makes others so grossly uncomfortable to even talk about it, how the hell do they think it makes us feel to be deal with it for years?

Jenny, you're brave! Yes, we're all adults and have these parts, but dang are people mean and assuming. Luckymommy, I know we don't deserve to suffer in silence, but after so many un-empathetic 'I'm sorries' from friends and family who are tired of hearing me whine, or a 'this is as good as its ever going to get' from a doctor that doesnt know what to do with me anymore all make me much rather not say anything, at all!!

I'm sorry your friend hurt you. I've had horrible experiences too and I will continue to "over" share with close friends when I think it's appropriate.


Big hugs.

I'm sorry you were hurt but I don't think that it means she cares any less for you. My best friend was extremely private...we worked at a daycare center together with lots of gossipy women...she never talked about sex or period stuff as the rest of us did...it wasn't her. In 2002 she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer...and thru the 2 1/2 year battle for her life...8 years later I as her best friend...still don't know what breast her cancer was in! She was just private about that kind of stuff. But it was ok...I loved her...and she was still supportive...and 8 years after she died...I'd do anything to have my supportive, loving but private friend back!