She was born Caryn Elaine Johnson but the world knows her as Whoopi Goldberg. Born in 1955, she started acting at eight but really began her illustrious career in 1983 on stage with a one-woman show called "Spook Show". This was moved to Broadway a year later. At the tail-end of that year-long show, she played the role of Celie in "The Color Purple", which would open many more acting roles for her.
Since then, Whoopi had played several notable roles on television and film. These include a memorable psychic in "Ghost" in 1990 and the comedic nun in "Sister Act" in 1992. The comedienne has also had memorable roles on television as well as back on the Broadway stage.
Since 2007, though, she’s been one of the hosts on the popular television show, "The View".
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While the outspoken and multi-talented woman is widely known for being one of the few people to have accomplished the rare feat of winning an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Tony Award, she gained attention for a different reason in 2009.
That year, she opened up about being diagnosed with endometriosis at the Endo Foundation's Blossom Ball. At the event, she stated that she’d been diagnosed with the condition 30 years prior and that she’d been very lucky to have a doctor who knew what was happening when she described her symptoms.
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What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that’s supposed to be located in the endometrium migrates to other parts of the body. In most cases, this tissue is found in the pelvic region such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries. It’s rare for the tissue to go further than the pelvic area, but it has happened.
The condition is characterized by pain mainly because the misplaced tissue responds to the hormonal changes in the menstrual cycle in the same way that endometrial tissue does - it will expand, break down, and bleed. Unfortunately, since there is no outlet for this blood, this process causes inflammation and irritation.
The pain associated with endometriosis may be worse during the menses or occur throughout the cycle. It may also get harder to manage over time. Some of the typical symptoms of the disease are fatigue, bloating, nausea, pain during sex, painful bowel movements, and bleeding between periods. It’s important to note that the severity of these symptoms is not necessarily related to how advanced the disease is. This can only be determined by your doctor.
Day 1: Just Diagnosed with Endometriosis
How Endometriosis Is Diagnosed
Since there are other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, your doctor will need to use several tests to determine if you have endometriosis and the extent of the disease. Your diagnosis will typically start with a pelvic exam.
If your doctor suspects that you have endometriosis, you may need to undergo imaging tests like ultrasounds and magnetic resonance imaging tests (MRIs). These tests can also help to determine how advanced the disease is but occasionally, doctors use a procedure known as a laparoscopy.
In a laparoscopy, a surgeon uses specialized tools to enter the abdomen. Using a laparoscope, the surgeon will examine the area for endometrial tissue. This procedure will also allow your doctor to determine the size and location of the unwanted tissue in the body.
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The Treatment Options For Endometriosis
Dealing with endometriosis often calls for a combination of managing the symptoms while addressing the root cause of the disease. Your doctor is likely to recommend different painkillers for reducing pain and inflammation as well as hormone therapy. With hormone therapy, you can choose from hormonal contraceptives, progestin therapy, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists, as well as aromatase inhibitors.
There are also surgical options that would seek to directly treat endometriosis. In laparoscopic procedures, a surgeon would remove the invasive endometrial tissue.
In cases where the disease is advanced, some doctors may recommend a complete hysterectomy, which would remove the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. It’s always best to discuss the pros and cons of each treatment option with your doctor.
Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with endometriosis, it’s a good idea to know what it’s about and how to handle it. As Whoopi said in her speech, “A lot of women have never heard of endometriosis”, which is unfortunate given how often the disease affects African Americans. If you’re concerned about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing, it’s imperative to see your doctor quickly.
