Sophie’s endometriosis diagnosis journey is marked by years of physical pain and medical trauma. Sophie suffered from painful periods for nine years, visiting countless different gynecologists before finally finding an endometriosis specialist in 2022 and receiving excision surgery in 2023.

As a teenager, Sophie experienced severe period cramps that would cause her to collapse on bathroom floors, resulting in countless missed classes, social events, and nights of sleep. Unlike many young girls, Sophie’s pain was believed by her gynecologist and he treated her symptoms through prescription painkillers (NSAIDs). Although Sophie is grateful to have received treatment for her pain, this doctor ultimately misled Sophie for years, wrongfully claiming she was “too young” to have endometriosis as a teenager.

Unsatisfied with the medical attention she was receiving, and believing something was wrong with her body, Sophie went on to meet with multiple other gynecologists throughout her college years. 

Unfortunately, each new gynecologist appointment resulted in more medical trauma. Doctors either didn’t believe Sophie had endometriosis or they didn’t believe doing the surgery to find out was “worth it.” One gynecologist’s treatment plan resulted in Sophie bleeding for nine months straight from taking birth control pills continuously, and another gynecologist’s treatment plan, which Sophie refused at 20 years old, consisted of inducing menopause. 

Eventually, Sophie gave up seeking answers for her period pain and accepted that there was nothing actually wrong with her-- she just had painful periods for no reason. 

It wasn’t until Sophie was 24 years old when she started experiencing ovulation pain, that she once again believed endometriosis might be the cause of her pain. This time, Sophie found an endometriosis specialist and, in January of 2023, received excision surgery, the gold standard in endometriosis care. 

While receiving a confirmed medical diagnosis was affirming, it was also equal parts terrifying. Sophie struggled deeply with processing what it means to live with an incredibly painful, progressive, incurable disease. Because of her own experience, Sophie understands that navigating an endometriosis diagnosis and surgery is extremely scary and isolating, and she doesn’t want anyone suffering from this disease to have to go through it alone. 

As Director of Advocacy, Sophie’s priority is advocating for dismantling the systemic medical barriers that keep millions of endometriosis patients from accessing the necessary care that they desperately need and so justly deserve. Sophie believes that every person struggling with endometriosis pain has the right to receive the gold standard treatment, excision surgery, and she is dedicated to advocating for a future where all those impacted by this disease can access the care that they need.