This Won’t End Me is a Canadian non-profit supporting and empowering those living with endometriosis. Through art, advocacy, and community, we break the silence around this invisible illness and create space for education, awareness, and creative expression.
Our team isn’t just advocating from the sidelines—we all live with endo ourselves. Each of us has a unique journey, but we share a deep belief that every story deserves to be seen and heard.
In this post, Thanai, Amanda, Laura, Lexi, and Hannah share their personal experiences to show the diverse impact of endometriosis, highlight the power of lived experience, and remind others that they’re not alone.
Meet the TWEM team—five women from different walks of life, each living with endometriosis and bringing their own voice to this movement. These are our stories.
🟡 Thanai’s Endo Journey
"...it’s so important to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never let anyone downplay your pain."
I spent years enduring excruciating periods that left me bedbound, missing out on everything my peers were doing at 19. Worst of all, I was convinced it was just a part of life. Like so many others, I internalized the idea that period pain was normal—that it was something to push through quietly.
When I finally saw a gynecologist at 26, I was immediately seen and believed. That alone felt life-changing. Even with a Stage 4 diagnosis—one that could have been prevented had I been taken seriously earlier—I’m incredibly grateful for the knowledge I’ve gained and the opportunity to support others on their journey while raising awareness.
I found community through Instagram, where I was captivated by the raw and beautiful expressions of endometriosis—illustrations, paintings, sculptures, and poetry. Seeing others translate their pain into art inspired me to do the same and, ultimately, to create a space that gives these voices a platform to be seen and heard.
If there’s one thing I want people to take away from my story, it’s this: the stage of endometriosis doesn’t determine the severity of your symptoms. You can have Stage 1 and experience intense pain, or Stage 4 and feel relatively mild discomfort. It affects everyone differently. That’s why it’s so important to listen to your body, advocate for yourself, and never let anyone downplay your pain.
🟡 Amanda’s Endo Journey
"It can be hard to cope with endometriosis, but you are not alone in this journey, so don’t be afraid to speak up and make your voice heard. We are here for you."
I have experienced pain during menstruation since early adolescence, when I had my first period. I used to ask my friends at school how they would cope with their menstrual cramps, and I would hear things like: “I take one pill and my pain goes away completely!” It didn’t work the same way for me.
I was 15 years old when I asked my doctor for stronger medication to manage the pain. I was living with incapacitating menstrual cramps for so many years, but all I heard was that all women experience pain during their period, and it is completely normal. Throughout the years, no matter which doctor I would visit or the imaging tests I would do, the results would always come back negative, leaving me feeling frustrated and questioning if I was being dramatic.
Fast forward to my 31 years. I felt a sharp pain in my abdomen and, suddenly, I was bloated and unable to stand or sit. In the ER, a CT showed a cyst in one of my ovaries. A few months later, after a careful evaluation and imaging tests done by experts, I was diagnosed with stage 4 endometriosis, had extensive laparoscopic surgery, and went through hormonal therapy for a year.
Many people have a similar experience living with endometriosis, unfortunately. Being diagnosed after more than a decade of frustration and uncertainty motivated me to use social media as a coping strategy, where I could share my story to feel embraced while I could support others.
As an immigrant, I faced many challenges to adapt in a new country, which made me feel less supported while I struggled to find proper care. Through This Won’t End Me (TWEM), I feel this sense of community again, I feel validated, and I can support others with our initiatives to raise awareness.
I hope that my story helps others understand that your voice must be heard. It is not normal to experience pain that prevents you from living normally, and you are not being dramatic. Your feelings are real, and no one should question it. It can be hard to cope with endometriosis, but you are not alone in this journey, so don’t be afraid to speak up and make your voice heard. We are here for you.
🟡 Laura’s Endo Journey
"It’s important to keep speaking up for yourself, and even if your journey seems different from others, you’re never alone. Everyone's story is valuable, and we all deserve to be heard."
In March 2021, I ended up in the ER after experiencing excruciating, immobilizing pain that felt like a knife to the gut—twice, in just three days. Despite the severity of the pain, I hesitated to seek medical attention, doubting myself and fearing I might be overreacting.
When I finally reached out to a nurse, she urged me to go to the ER immediately. To my surprise, the medical staff took my pain seriously. After eight hours of tests, it was determined that the pain was likely caused by a ruptured ovarian cyst. That moment marked a pivotal turning point in my health journey, but the true realization came six months later when I was formally diagnosed with endometriosis—a process that typically takes seven to 10 years.
I have been incredibly fortunate in my journey with endometriosis. My pain was never questioned (except by me), and my doctors were always supportive. But I’m also aware that I walked into this with certain privileges, including being young, white and able-bodied. Many people with endometriosis endure years of being dismissed and misdiagnosed, which can be both isolating and exhausting.
Through This Won’t End Me (TWEM), I've found community by amplifying others' voices and supporting the mission of inclusivity. TWEM has given me the opportunity to connect with a diverse group of people, each with their own unique experiences and perspectives on endometriosis. By sharing these stories and championing others’ narratives, I've also realized the power of collective support in creating change.
From my experience, I want people to understand that no one should have to question their pain or fight to be believed, especially when it comes to something as serious as endometriosis. I also want others to know that even in the face of the hardest challenges, you can find support and community. It’s important to keep speaking up for yourself, and even if your journey seems different from others, you’re never alone. Everyone's story is valuable, and we all deserve to be heard.
🟡 Lexi’s Endo Journey
"You know your body best—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise."
I got my first painful period at 11 and grew up believing that suffering was just part of being a woman. My mother bled for months at a time, leading to a hysterectomy at 27. My grandmother endured the physical and mental toll of two placenta previa births before undergoing the same fate at 25. Both met the criteria for endometriosis—my grandmother was diagnosed, but my mother’s symptoms were dismissed. Instead of answers, she had her organs removed.
At 21, my pain became unbearable. Doctor after doctor told me to “just lose weight,” take birth control, or wait until I wanted to get pregnant before they’d help. When one doctor put me on birth control, I ended up hospitalized with severe migraines and vomiting. Her solution? Trial-and-error more birth control or rely on opioids every month.
After years of self-advocacy and building a care team beyond just doctors, I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis—14 years after my first painful period. Excision surgery confirmed lesions on my ovary, appendix, and abdominal lining. While a diagnosis doesn’t define me, it validates everything I have fought for.
To anyone struggling with complex health issues, feeling unheard or dismissed: Keep advocating for yourself. Surround yourself with people who believe you (like the community I found at TWEM). You know your body best—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
🟡 Hannah’s Endo Journey
"Art became my biggest coping strategy. It gave me a safe, creative way to express what I was going through—helping me reconnect with my voice when the medical system ignored it."
From my very first period, I experienced pain. Right from the start, as a teen, I was told that things would “regulate” as I got older, that I just had to wait it out or go on birth control. The system gaslit me from the beginning, reinforcing this harmful idea that being a girl and being in pain go hand in hand. That kind of messaging creates a deep disconnection between self and body—it teaches us to ignore what we’re feeling rather than trust it.
As I entered adulthood, the pain only worsened. It took 15 years to receive an official diagnosis of endometriosis. By then, I had undergone a laparoscopy surgery, and I’m still dealing with the post-surgical impacts. But through it all, I’ve learned an essential truth: our inner voices are important. Despite what we are told from a young age, our bodies never lie. Listening to our internal world is key.
Art became my biggest coping strategy. It gave me a safe, creative way to express what I was going through—helping me reconnect with my voice when the medical system ignored it. It also allowed me to simplify the complexities of the menstrual cycle, using the metaphor of the four seasons to better understand my own body. This creative process helped me reframe my experience, turning pain into something I could explore rather than just endure.
As I searched for ways to heal, I met Lexi, one of the TWEM board members. She introduced me to the founder, Thanai. Being a part of a community of people who get it—who understand the frustration, the waiting, the gaslighting—was incredibly validating.
There are ways to support ourselves while waiting, waiting for appointments, for referrals, for answers, or even just for someone to take our pain seriously. We don’t have to be entirely dependent on the medical system to understand and care for our bodies.
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned through somatic work (soma meaning "of the body") is this: where the body is showing pain, it is also showing us the solution. Our bodies want to heal, and by tuning in—through creativity, movement, breath, and connection—we can begin to reclaim our relationship with ourselves.
No matter how grueling the journey, we are not without hope.
Having a team that understands the realities of endometriosis makes all the difference. What makes us even stronger is the diversity of our experiences and the unique strengths each person brings—from research and advocacy to creative direction and storytelling. Whether it’s amplifying voices, leading awareness campaigns, or developing impactful initiatives, every role helps move This Won’t End Me forward.
We may be small, but we are mighty. Together, we are building something bigger than ourselves—a movement that ensures endometriosis is no longer dismissed, misunderstood, or ignored. Sharing our stories isn’t just healing for us—it’s a form of advocacy. A way to break stigma, educate others, and demand better care for all who live with this condition.
We believe that every story matters. That’s why we’re creating a coffee table book—a powerful collection of art and personal stories from people living with endometriosis. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or simply someone with a story to share, we welcome you to be part of this collective expression.
Connect with us on Instagram @thiswontendme or visit our website for resources, updates, and ways to get involved.
Together, we’re rewriting the narrative—one voice, one story at a time.