A recently published study found that early sexual and physical abuse is associated with an increased risk of endometriosis.
The study that appeared in the July issue of the journal, Human Reproduction, used data collected from 60,595 women within the Nurses’ Health Study II from 1989 to 2013, and found that women reporting severe-chronic abuse of multiple types had a 79% increased risk of laparoscopically-confirmed endometriosis.
Dr. Holly R. Harris, the lead author of the study said,
“A growing body of literature suggests that early traumatic experiences affect production of stress hormones and inflammatory responses, and these contribute to chronic pelvic pain and other pain syndromes. Our findings suggest that similar mechanisms may be involved in the association between early abuse and endometriosis diagnosed during adulthood. We need an increased focus on the potential underlying biological mechanisms to fully understand these relationships. This study adds to the growing evidence that abuse during childhood/adolescence is not rare and can have multiple consequences for lifelong health and well-being.”
It’s part of my story.
The results of the study are not surprising to me.
With the growing #MeToo movement, more and more women are speaking up about past sexual trauma, and the impacts that can have on your physical health.
I’ve connected with many endo sisters who’ve experienced this.
It’s part of my own story. My first sexual encounter was rough and forced. He raped me.
As a young teenage woman that action had a huge impact on my physical and emotional well-being and it continued to impact me nearly twenty years later.
This was brought to light when I had a session with an amazing healer who helped identify and mend the energetic impacts that trauma had on my pelvic space.
As a result, the excruciating pain with my periods finally dropped away! And it has stayed away.
For me, addressing that past trauma was the ticket to finding healing.
You are your own medicine.
On this week’s episode of the Peace with Endo Podcast I chatted with Stephanie Johnson, the author of the book, Finding Joy Beyond Trauma. (If you missed it you can listen to it here).
Stephanie relates the past sexual trauma that she experienced in her life as “sacred wounds” because they forced her to re-connect with her higher self, and to eventually become a healer.
One thing she said stuck with me: “You are your own medicine.”
You have the power to heal yourself.
The definition of “healing” is to become whole. I think the healing process is all about coming back to the innate truth of you.
On a deeper level you are already healed. You are whole and perfect simply because of your existence. You are a miracle.
But when you are violated by abuse it’s easy for that perception to shift.
You may find yourself feeling broken or worthless. You may feel fearful or constricted. You may have a wall of protection around you that doesn’t allow true joy to flow through.
That was the case for me.
Letting Down the Walls
Healing finally came when I let down the walls and allowed help to come in.
It came when I connected back to my higher self, to my intuition, to my soul’s higher vibrations of creativity, joy and peace.
What I’ve learned over the past couple of years, as I’ve dug deeper into the energetic and spiritual side of things, is that there is definitely more than meets the eye.
Emotions are energy and they impact the health and well-being of your physical body.
The emotions of abuse come along with shame, blame and distrust. These emotions can gather in your pelvic space and cause tightness and restriction. They can cause pain.
When you open up to release and feel through those emotions, then you free them from your body.
I know that’s easier said than done. I think you’ll know when you’re ready to do so.
Really getting to the root
You can’t cut or numb out this deeper emotional pain. These actions don’t bring about true healing. They may stop the symptoms, but they don’t get to the underlying root issue.
Endometriosis is most definitely a physical dis-ease. There’s no doubt about that. This is all not to say that something that happened to you in your past is your fault or that it caused the endo to happen.
There are many layers to healing: body, mind and spirit.
But past trauma should not be left out of the conversation.
Stay tuned for the next episode of the Peace with Endo Podcast which includes another endo sister’s story of finding healing from sexual trauma, and the drastic impacts this had on decreasing her pain levels. (Subscribe here so you don’t miss an episode).
On the Positive Side?
I’m still amazed that I’ve been able to find dramatic relief from energetic healing. It definitely peaked my curiosity and made me want to learn more, so that I can help you too.
I was blessed to learn from the healer who helped me. She provided me with guidance and tools to help move and balance out my own energy, and those of my clients. (If this intrigues you and you want to chat further, please reach out to me.)
Along the way I’ve learned that I am a highly sensitive empath. I pick up on other people’s energy and emotions. I can feel your pain, and naturally I want to help mend it. Empaths are lead to be healers so that we can all feel better in this world.
I do believe that past trauma and the impacts of that on your nervous system make you naturally more sensitive and in tune. Being empathic sets you up to facilitate that healing first and foremost on yourself.
It’s time to step back into that power, love. 💛
I’m grateful that I captured this journey of exploration of emotions, energy, and my story of deeper healing in my newest book, Energetics of Endo.
I have set a new release date of 2/22/19!
Learn more about Energetics of Endo and pre-order an autographed copy here!
Past sexual trauma was a key part of the puzzle for me. Was it for you too? I’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Dear Aubree, thank you so much for your good work. And this article is spot on. It is very healing to learn that research is done to the relation of trauma and endometriosis (my pelvic physiotherapist just said last week that the underbelly is one of the places where trauma settles, especially with victims of sexual abuse). I recognize myself in your story, being a victim of sexual abuse myself. Only now that I’m in revalidation after an accident, my body and mind really can start to heal and integrate and I get to be reacquainted with the real me. It is so liberating and I feel so much better already, having more energy and less pain. Thanks again for your blogs and work. Love from Europe, Mara.
Hi, Mara. I’m so sorry you had to go through that, but I’m glad that you’ve found the connection and are taking steps to heal. Much Love.
Hello, I believe that I got my endo after my mom made me get an abortion at 16. It was very traumatic for me and I had complications and had to go in for a second round because they didn’t get everything our the first time. I’ve never been able to get pregnant all because my mom didn’t want to become a grandmother at her age. Soon after my abortion within the first week, my boyfriend was drunk and I continuously told him we couldn’t do it that we had to wait for the time before we could do it, he forced me. That marked the end of that relationship.
christina
Hi, Christina. I’m so sorry that happened to you. That definitely sounds like trauma that could be influencing things. Have you made steps to releasing some of those emotions from your pelvic space? Sending you lots of love.
Dear Aubree, thank you for writing this post and I will look forward to the release of your book. This is so interesting, and I have found that energetic healing has helped me, unless there is something hidden that I don’t recall, I’m not sure about sexual abuse, but I feel there is a link with my maternal line, and I have already had a huge energy shift on the subject of feeling abandoned (my parents didn’t abandon me, but certain events stayed with me),I wonder if this could equally be a reason….I’m trying to dig deeper to find the root cause….gently 🙂 lots of love x
Thanks Sarah. Another thing to consider is that trauma can be passed down from past generations. There’s an excellent book on the topic called It Didn’t Start with You: https://amzn.to/2BbeOb0
Sending lots of love.
Dear Aubree
Thank you for Peace with Endo and all the wonderful blogs and books. The causal link between endo and trauma although mentioned long ago certainly needs further research.
I was introduced to Craniosacral therapy about 5 years ago and through this journey of body work and energy release came to understand that my pelvic region is the energy dumping ground of past childhood sexual abuse by a close family member and later the anger that my mum knew and didn’t protect me and my sister and still left us in the ‘care’ of this person & still today doesn’t accept the trauma this caused.
As I connect with this understanding and the power of releasing, I left my narc abuser partner and I am now studying craniosacral therapy and sound therapy to aim to support the healing and wellness of others.
Much love
Lisa
Hi Lisa. Thanks for sharing. After experiencing tremendous shifts from energy work it definitely got me curious. There is certainly power in release. So happy that you’ve found release this way and are going to help others do the same. Much Love.