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Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Each year, countless lives are lost to suicide. According to a BBC study released last fall, more than half of the 13,500 women with endometriosis who shared their stories said their struggles with the disease had led to suicidal thoughts. Today brings attention to suicide prevention and encourages all of us to speak to end the stigma surrounding suicide. Chronic illness, including chronic pain conditions, can increase the risk of suicidal thoughts and suicide. Unfortunately, there is so much stigma surrounding suicide, which prevents people from talking about it and getting the help they need. It is up to all of us to challenge this stigma. If you know someone who is hurting, physically, and/or mentally, reach out to them to let them know you care. If you're hurting, afraid, and lonely yourself, know that you are deeply loved and valued. Please talk to a loved one or a mental health professional. Here is a list of resources to assist you:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255
Veterans Crisis Line at 800-273-8255 and Press 1 
Spanish Lifeline 800-273-8255 and Press 2 
Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860  
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ youth) at 866-488-7386
National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) BIPOC Mental Health Resources
Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741-741
If you’re not in the U.S., click here for a link to crisis centers around the world.

In community,

Margaret Caspler Cianci
Executive Director, EndoFound

At this year’s Virtual Patient Conference, we are honored to feature one of our many wonderful speakers, Carli Blau, who will speak on the critical topic of painful sex and endometriosis. Carli Blau, LMSW, is a licensed therapist in New York City who specializes in sex and relationship therapy. “I don’t think enough women know that sex should not be painful,” Carli Blau told The Blossom in 2018. You can also read more from Carli in this Blossom piece, “Sex Tips for The Endo Girl.” Register today to learn even more about painful sex and endometriosis.

Dr. Harry Reich, MD, FACOG, FRCOG, FACS, is known worldwide as a pioneer in the field of laparoscopic surgery. He’s also EndoFound’s Senior Medical Advisor, a founding Board Member, and penned a column from our archives, Ask Harry. His take on IBS? “If you survey a roomful of 100 women with endometriosis, you'll find many have been wrongfully diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). It's a common narrative because America is chock-full of OB-GYN's who don't know or understand endometriosis and its accompanying gastrointestinal signs and symptoms; the result is often a referral to a GI doctor as the delay to endo diagnosis drags on.”

Kaila Kruger was 11 when she first had her period. Now, she’s 26 and currently recovering from her sixth endometriosis surgery. She powerfully details her journey through different doctors, surgeries, and work experiences. “I was taking more sick days than any other employee,” Kaila writes, “I was spending more time in bed than out with my friends. This wasn’t normal for a ‘healthy’ 22-year-old.” Thank you, Kaila, for sharing your story.

EndoNews recently covered a study on bowel endometriosis. Deep endometriosis involving the bowel lacks standardized disease definition, indications for intervention, approach to surgical management, and reporting the complications. The paper focuses on the short- and long-term reported complications of endometriosis surgery involving the bowel, and the steps that doctors can take to keep their patients informed.

Do you have a birthday coming up? Celebrate with EndoFound! Click here to set up your Facebook birthday fundraiser. From birthday fundraisers on Facebook to running 5Ks, you make it happen. With your help, we can continue working towards increasing endometriosis awareness, education, advocacy, and research. Thank you to everyone across the country who has fundraised in support of endometriosis!

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