My name is Sabrina Ramirez; I’m 28 years old, a nurse, a wife, and a mom of two small kids, fortunately. Growing up, periods are not something that receives empathy. The pain and heaving bleeding are deemed to be normal. I vividly remember starting my first period at 11 years old in P.E. class after running. I was in excruciating pain, and the pain didn’t stop. The only relief I would get is balling up into the fetal position.

My mom did her best, creating an “emergency kit” of extra underwear, pads/ tampons, and Tylenol because of the numerous school calls telling her I once again bleed through my clothes. At the age of 16, I went on the birth control pill for my irregular periods and heavy bleeding, feeling some relief as my periods started to regulate. I was even able to come off of the birth control around the age of 20.

A couple of years later, I had my two children, Matthew (5) and Ellie (2). After these pregnancies, I decided to get the IUD, only to be met with 7-day long periods, irregularity, and numerous hemorrhagic cyst ruptures. After numerous ER and urgent care visits, worsening pelvic pain, and bleeding, I removed my IUD in November of 2024, only to have no resolution of these issues.

My gynecologist chalked it up to the IUD, then PCOS, and finally suspicion of endometriosis. After multiple ultrasounds “only showing functional cysts” and normal labs he agreed to do a diagnostic laparoscopy. At my pre-op appointment, he stated I should cancel as he was “not going to find anything” - clearly unknowledgeable about how endometriosis doesn’t typically appear on scans.

Enough was enough, and I gratefully met Dr. Behbehani. I am so thankful to her for validating my concerns and pain while educating me that my cyst is not just function, my left ovary is adhered to the back of my uterus, and endometriosis is indeed suspected.

In attempts to get the surgery covered, insurance was not willing as it is out-of-network, and my initial provider was unwilling to write a referral as he is not properly trained on endometriosis and doesn’t understand the severity. Here I am, almost a month later, calling my insurance every day to negotiate some type of coverage, but hopes are low as there is still no insurance code for deep infiltrating endometriosis excision surgery.

I pray for the day to get the surgery I undoubtedly deserve and for the day women no longer have to advocate tooth and nail just to cross their fingers for gold-standard medical care.