The 5 Biggest Lies Women with Endo Are Told (and What’s Actually True)

If you have endometriosis, chances are you’ve been lied to. Not always intentionally. But the system is full of myths, dismissals, and half-truths that keep women confused, exhausted, and unsupported.

These lies are dangerous because they’re so common. They come from doctors, well-meaning family members, internet forums, even our own inner voices after years of not being believed. It’s time to name them—and replace them with truth.

Lie #1: “Painful periods are normal.”

No, they’re not. Mild cramping? Sure. But pain that keeps you from functioning, leaves you doubled over, makes you vomit, or interferes with your life month after month? That’s not normal—it’s a red flag.

The truth: Severe period pain is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. You deserve better than to be told to "tough it out."

Lie #2: “Just get pregnant—it will cure it.”

This one is particularly damaging. Endometriosis doesn’t disappear when you’re pregnant. Symptoms may lessen temporarily due to hormonal changes, but it often comes back—and sometimes worse—postpartum.

The truth: Pregnancy is not a treatment plan. You should never be pressured into having a child as a medical solution. Your body, your timeline, your choice.

Lie #3: “A hysterectomy will fix it.”

Endometriosis isn’t confined to the uterus. It grows outside of it—on ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, bladder, and even the diaphragm. Removing the uterus won’t remove the endo.

The truth: A hysterectomy might help in specific cases (especially if adenomyosis is involved), but it is not a guaranteed fix and should never be offered as a blanket solution.

Lie #4: “You’re too young to have endo.”

So many of us are told we’re too young to be taken seriously. But symptoms often start in adolescence. Early dismissal delays diagnosis, leading to years of avoidable pain and damage.

The truth: Endo doesn’t care about age. Teenagers can—and do—have it. We need to start believing young women when they say they’re in pain.

Lie #5: “It’s all in your head.”

The most damaging lie of all. When doctors can’t see it on a scan or don’t understand it, they sometimes blame you. But chronic pain is not imaginary. It’s not caused by anxiety. It’s not your fault.

The truth: Your pain is real. Your experience is real. You deserve to be heard, supported, and treated with respect.

Here’s What Helped Me Break Free From These Lies

When I started challenging these myths, everything shifted. I found doctors who listened. I gave myself permission to rest without guilt. I stopped searching for a perfect cure and started building a healing lifestyle.

But most importantly—I trusted myself again. That inner voice? The one that whispered “something’s not right”? I stopped silencing her.

I started reading medical journals. I joined online support groups. I created a symptom diary, which helped me advocate for myself in appointments. I stopped trying to be the "good patient" and started being an honest one.

And slowly, piece by piece, I began to reclaim my power.

Three Practical Ways to Reclaim Your Truth

1. Make a “My Reality” List
   Write down every symptom you experience, even the ones doctors have brushed off. Keep it as a reminder that your lived experience matters more than anyone’s opinion. Bring it to appointments. Use it to track patterns.

2. Interview Your Healthcare Providers
   You are allowed to ask hard questions: “What’s your experience treating endo?” “Do you believe pain like mine is normal?” “Are you open to collaborative care?” If the answers feel dismissive, find someone else. You are hiring them. Not the other way around.

3. Build a Belief-Clearing Practice
   Every time you catch yourself thinking, “Maybe I’m just weak,” stop. Replace it with truth: “My body is fighting something real, and I’m doing my best.” Write these truths down. Speak them out loud. Let them become louder than the lies.

Let’s Tell a Better Story

Endometriosis is not your fault. It’s not in your head. And it’s not the end of your story.

You don’t have to settle for less care, less compassion, or less credibility. You are not a mystery to solve—you are a human being in pain, deserving of clarity and care.

You’re allowed to change doctors, shift your treatment plan, and ask for second opinions. You’re allowed to take up space. To rest. To advocate. To grieve. To celebrate tiny victories. And to demand better—for yourself and for every woman who comes after you.

This isn’t just about healing. It’s about reclaiming what was stolen through silence: your voice.

→ Want a space where truth is honored and healing is supported? [Join the email list] and get resources that help you walk this journey with strength, clarity, and hope.

A Final Word to the Woman Who’s Tired of Fighting

If you’ve made it this far, I want to speak to your heart. I know you’re tired. Not just from the pain—but from the explaining. The defending. The appointments that lead nowhere. The people who still don’t get it. The loneliness that creeps in when you feel like the only one navigating this invisible war.

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect your body—it affects your relationships, your confidence, your work, your ability to plan anything without fear. It chips away at parts of you no one sees. And still, here you are. Reading. Learning. Choosing to understand your body more deeply. That’s resilience.

Maybe no one has told you this lately, but I will: You are doing a remarkable job. Even on the days you cancel plans. Even when you cry in the bathroom at work. Even when you’re lying in bed wondering if anyone will ever understand. You are not broken. You are becoming.

My hope is that you never let these lies define your journey again. That you anchor yourself in truth. That you surround yourself with women who speak that truth over you. And that you continue—at your own pace, in your own way—to build a life that makes space for both your softness and your strength.

→ If this resonated with you, share this post with a friend, a partner, a mom, or a coworker who needs to understand. Let’s stop whispering about endo and start talking about it—with honesty, compassion, and power.

I’m with you.
—Tiffany

PS: If you haven’t gotten The Endometriosis Reset Guide yet, check it out here.