For years, Lili Reinhart endured a frustrating and agonizing journey, dismissed by doctor after doctor as she desperately sought answers for debilitating pain. The Riverdale actress finally received a diagnosis: endometriosis, a condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing immense suffering.
The path to diagnosis was far from straightforward. Reinhart recounts a year of relentless searching – multiple visits to urologists and gynecologists, a diagnosis of interstitial cystitis that offered no real hope, and a persistent feeling that something was profoundly wrong. Her symptoms were minimized, her concerns brushed aside.
It wasn’t until she connected with pelvic floor therapists that the possibility of endometriosis was even suggested. This led her to push for an MRI, revealing adenomyosis, and ultimately, a laparoscopic surgery that confirmed the presence of endometriosis. Even then, one gynecologist suggested simply going on birth control, downplaying the severity of her experience.
Endometriosis impacts daily life for many, causing severe pain during periods and sex, debilitating fatigue, and even impacting fertility. Symptoms can mimic other conditions, leading to misdiagnosis and years of unnecessary suffering. In the UK, women wait an average of eight years for a definitive diagnosis.
The struggle Reinhart faced isn’t unique. A staggering 90% of those with endometriosis report having their pain dismissed or disbelieved, often by medical professionals. This dismissal stems from a lack of understanding, and a troubling pattern of medical misogyny, where women’s pain is often minimized or attributed to psychological factors.
Sharing photos from her hospital bed, Reinhart expressed a profound sense of validation. “The second I saw my doctor I asked, ‘Did you find it?’ And he said, ‘We found endo,’” she recalled. “I felt so relieved that I chose to listen to my body and pursue this surgery.”
Reinhart’s story is a powerful testament to the importance of self-advocacy. She’s determined to use her platform to raise awareness about endometriosis, urging others to trust their instincts and demand answers when their pain isn’t taken seriously. “Believing women’s pain shouldn’t be revolutionary,” she powerfully stated.
The World Health Organisation estimates that one in ten people with uteruses experience endometriosis. Yet, a significant gap – often four to eleven years – exists between the onset of symptoms and a confirmed diagnosis. Reinhart’s experience highlights the urgent need for greater awareness, improved diagnostic tools, and a fundamental shift in how women’s pain is perceived and treated.
Reinhart’s journey underscores a critical message: listening to your body is paramount. Her courage in sharing her story offers hope and validation to countless others navigating the complexities of endometriosis, and fuels the fight for better care and understanding.
