06 PeoPle, Places & Products
A true story
of courage, weight loss and
overcoming infertility odds
A
fter five years of being doubled over in By the time I reached 28, after nine years of trying
Throughout the whole process I had
agony month after month and trying to conceive, I was exhausted “It’s not happening, gained weight and pretty well felt
everything, I was finally diagnosed with I can’t do this and it’s wearing me down”, I wept miserable about myself. I picked
endometriosis and poly cystic ovaries. and decided to give up. The strain on our relation-
myself up and decided ‘it was time for
It was not until I tried to conceive that the ship was enormous, and it had drained us both of
me now’. I had tried lots of different
impact of this diagnosis really hit home. “You’re energy, and finally we parted due to the stress of
sorts of diets in the past, but nothing
clinically infertile”, the doctor told me gravely. the whole thing on our marriage.
seemed to work.
“Devastated, I broke the news to my husband and Throughout the whole process I had gained
we decided to try several rounds of fertility treat- weight and pretty well felt miserable about my life-long dream of becoming a psychologist.
ment to try to make it happen. myself. I picked myself up and decided ‘it was time straight away I started to feel better about myself.
for me now’. I had tried lots of different sorts of It was like I was finally free and I started to feel
diets in the past, but nothing seemed to work. like myself again. I had mourned and decided to
I felt that I needed a new direction in my move on from being a mum. It was time for me
life, and I decided to take the plunge and pursue now. The only thing left to tidy up was my health.
EnDomETrIosIs
What us endometriosis? ❥ Infertility
Endometriosis is a common and often ❥ Premenstrual symptoms
painful condition. It is thought to affect ❥ Tiredness
approximately 10 per cent of women (one in ❥ mood changes BloatingDietary tips
ten) at some stage during their menstruating eat less:
years. It can occur anytime, from when periods ❥ 'Bad fats' – trim meat and avoid hidden
start, right up to the time of menopause. fats in cakes, pastries, chocolate, etc.
hoW does it occur? ❥ Full fat dairy
Endometriosis occurs when tissue normally ❥ red meat
lining the uterus (the endometrium) is found eat more:
in sites outside the uterus. This misplaced ❥ soluble fibre, such as sunflower seeds
tissue implants itself onto the surface of the and pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
tissue or organ where it has been deposited ❥ Good fats and oils to help with pain,
and begins to grow and function. like olive and flaxseed oils, avocados,
What are the symPtoms? pine nuts, pistachio nuts, peanuts and
❥ Period pain sesame seeds
❥ Abdominal, back and/or pelvic pain ❥ Fish, such as sardines and salmon –
❥ Heavy or irregular bleeding at least three times per week.
❥ Bowel or bladder symptoms ❥ Include raw seeds and nuts
Ripple issue 001 / 2009
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