MY STORY

Hi!! I’m Anoushka.Welcome to Endocation.

I’m 23 years old, I recently finished my MSc inGenetic Manipulation and Molecular Cell Biology, and I’m fascinated by all things biology, medicine and women’s health.

Anoushka in a molecular biology laboratory

WHERE IT STARTED

I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis in 2023.

At the time I had noooo idea what endometriosis even was. When my gynaecologist mentioned that I had an endometrioma, my brain instantly jumped to cancer.

I was put on the pill and that was pretty much it. I wasn’t referred to an endometriosis specialist until around a year later, and even then I really had to push to get an appointment.

It was through that experience that I started to realise how much we still don’t know about endometriosis, even within specialist care. Which I found pretty crazy considering how many women are affected by this disease.

WHEN THINGS CHANGED

My symptoms stopped being something I could ignore.

Over the next three years, my symptoms went from being mostly cyclical to affecting me pretty much every day. Indigestion, nausea, headaches, cramps, heart palpitations, fainting, extreme fatigue, painful bowel movements, joint pain... pain, pain, pain.

I went to countless appointments and saw so many different specialists. Along the way, I was told things like:

“Endometriosis is trendy.”

“It’s normal for women to faint sometimes.”

“Endometriosis has nothing to do with your digestive system.”

As a STEM girly, my response was basically... fine, I’m going to learn about it myself.

So I started reading.

The more I learnt about endometriosis, the more I discovered the HUGEEE knowledge gaps that still exist, not only in endometriosis but in PCOS and so many other areas of women’s health.

I love science, so I found this genuinely shocking and honestly pretty disappointing. But it also made me realise that there was something I could bring to this community.

I have the scientific background to read research papers and understand what the researchers actually did, what they found, what the limitations are and, most importantly,translate all of that into something anyone can understand.

And that’s how Endocation came about 💜

WHY ADVOCACY MATTERS TO ME

If there’s one thing I learnt the hard way, it’s ADVOCACY!!!

I want Endocation to help you understand a little bit more about endometriosis and about your own body, so that you can feel more confident advocating for yourself in front of a physician.

That might mean asking more questions. Asking for a second opinion. Questioning something when it doesn’t make sense to you. Knowing what symptoms are worth bringing up. Understanding the evidence behind the things you’re being told.

It isn’t about assuming that you know more than your doctor or using the internet to diagnose yourself. It’s about having enough knowledge to actually be part of the conversation about your own health.

I really wish I had that when I was first diagnosed.

WELCOME TO ENDOCATION

Soooo, welcome!! 💜

Every week I’ll be breaking down new research in endometriosis and women’s health. I’ll explain what the researchers found, what it actually means, what it doesn’t mean and why I think it matters.

I hope Endocation can help anyone who wants to understand this disease a little better, whether you have endometriosis yourself, know someone who does, work in women’s health or are just here to learn.

And please remember that I’m a scientist and a patient,not a doctor. Everything I share on Endocation is for education and should never replace individual medical advice.

My DMs are always open if you want some support or even just a chat 💜

Lots of love,
Noushy x

Read the research →