“I had quite a bit of pain, I took a lot of painkillers.”
“I never related to the symptoms.”
“I always assumed it was normal.”
These are phrases people living with endometriosis, or endo, know all too well. The gynaecological condition is believed to affect more than 830,000 people in Australia, with 6.5 years the average wait time for a definitive diagnosis.
One of those 830,000 people is Canberra woman Nat van Dartel. While her diagnosis “only” took eight months, she says she grew up with painful periods that she assumed were normal.
In mid-2019, she began experiencing ruptured endometrioma (cysts) every month – “life just stopped every time this happened, the pain would be constant” – which led to surgery, an endometriosis diagnosis, and a long period of recovery.
Despite surgery, Nat’s endo symptoms continue, and have prompted her to create the Happy Uterus – wearable heat packs to help relieve endo symptoms.
“About six months post-op I was still using heat packs most nights and I remember thinking ‘it would be nice if I didn’t have to tuck this into my pants’,” she says.
The heat packs come in different sizes and a range of colours, patterns and prints – they’re designed to be on show and can be worn anywhere and everywhere.
“There’s nothing secretive or hidden about what our products are used for,” Nat says.
“Endo or other chronic gynaecological conditions can be so isolating because people are embarrassed to tell their colleagues or friends.”
Every sale will see $2 donated to Endometriosis Australia to support their work in education and research into the disease – an area that’s seen to be significantly overlooked and underfunded.
It’s because of this that the endo community has formed, supporting one another in-person and online, sharing stories, triumphs and tips for managing symptoms and flare-ups.
“In the absence of comprehensive medical research, people lean on each other and share their experiences,” Nat says.
“Collectively, it’s a huge knowledge bank.
“I am so grateful to be able to make something positive out of something that felt like such a setback in my life.”
Catch Nat and the Happy Uterus at the Haig Park Village Markets on Sundays 1 and 8 August or on Instagram @thehappyuterusau
Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.
For more news:
