Amy Schumer, like one in ten women, suffers from endometriosis. Like Olivia Culpo, Mae Whitman, Halsey, Padma Laksmi, Julianne Hough and Tia Mowry she is being open about her journey. Amy took to Instagram recently to share how she had to have a hysterectomy and appendectomy due to endometrial tissue growing outside her uterus. Below are a few more highlights via Yahoo!:
Speaking to the camera, Schumer said that it was “the morning after my surgery for endometriosis and my uterus is out.”
She added: “The doctor found 30 spots of endometriosis that he removed. He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it.
“There was… a lot of blood in my uterus and I’m, you know, sore and I have some, like, gas pains.”
Schumer, who has a 2-year-old son, has spoken before about her battle with endometriosis.
The condition, which affects one in 10 women of reproductive age worldwide, sees tissue similar to the lining of the womb start to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
The main symptom of the condition, for which there is no cure, is pain, which may be felt in the abdomen, during sex or when urinating.
I know many women who suffer from endometriosis. For years my gynecologist thought I had the disorder too until I had a procedure to rule it out. I wouldn’t wish endometriosis on my worse enemy. I also did not know that endometriosis could spread to the appendix so I definitely learned something new here. As a surgical tech I did procedures where I saw endometriosis on people’s intestines so it tracks. I am glad that so many celebrity women are speaking out about this especially since the topic has long been taboo. When high profile women open the door to these discussions, it helps other women come out of the silence and seek help. I wish Amy a fast recovery and hope that by sharing her journey she will help other women suffering.
This woman has been through the ringer the past couple of years, with having a baby and this. I hope now she can be pain free.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that grows inside a uterus (and is supposed to stay there) grows outside of it – and it can grow anywhere else in the body. Scary stuff and yes, very painful. Wishing Amy a full and speedy recovery.
My niece has thoracic endometriosis and has suffered from several collapsed lungs as a result. Like so many issues affecting womens’ reproductive health, people often treat endometriosis like it’s no big deal (it’s just bad cramps, you’ll be fine . . .), but it can be very serious. The more visibility brought to this condition, the better.
Currently suffering from endo right now, in the midst of treatment, and it’s taken YEARS off my life. Years spent bawling on the bathroom floor and blood bath periods that last MONTHS. I’m even MORE in awe of her that she’s powered through it to have a career !!! Because people really don’t get that it’s like a disability. I have not been able to even stand up for over two years without excruciating pain. I LOVE LOVE LOVE that these women are being open because I have been shamed my whole life by family for talking about” women’s problems” *rage face*. We need to be able to be open about our pain. I love her for this. AND the rest of them.
what a badass. Total respect.
This is ironic as I’m currently at home recovering from my own hysterectomy. My journey with endometriosis has been hell on earth and i wouldn’t wish it on anyone! It’s derailed my legal career, destroyed relationships, caused me to become completely reliant on prescription pain medication, etc. It definitely sucks!
You will be in my thoughts, Kristin! I have Endo too and it is such a nightmare.
Kristin, heal well and completely! I can promise that you will feel so much better.
Your story was my story years ago. As a single, childless 38 year old lawyer, living on Vicodin for years, I had a hysterectomy aimed at eliminating my endometriosis and relentless fibroids … so much pain. A few years later, as a newlywed, I had to have my ovaries removed, too, because they continued to spin endometriosis. That stuff is stubborn and vicious. In spite of going immediately into menopause, I never felt better in my adult life than the years afterward taking HRT. I don’t wish that on you, but you *will* feel so much better soon.
Best wishes
hey endo sister, writing from my couch of pain and I SEE YOU. I made a comment above-before I saw yours- that I am astonished that Amy has been able to have a career with this because I sure as hell haven’t been able to as my periods were so horrific and lasted for so damn long. I truly hope your hysterectomy will bring you relief. I swear I am at the point of ripping my uterus out with my teeth, lol. Let me know if you need someone to talk to. It can be very isolating and lonely.
Btw I was so scared of all the opiods they prescribed me that I take CBD and edibles. It does not get rid of all the pain, not at all, but it’s a good substitute, not addicting, and really helps you sleep (which you know can be a, ahem, CHALLENGE)
On seeing this stuff in real life surgeries–neat! how fascinating!
Thank you for continuing to cover Endometriosis. The lack of research into the disease is so sad. I was finally diagnosed with Endo 2 years ago after going over 10 years undiagnosed. I have had to have 2 surgeries over the past 2 years for Endo excision and to remove the cysts it causes. I had pain relief for one year and then BAM Endo pain is back as bad as ever. Being 32, I haven’t had a child yet so I am desperately trying to avoid Hysterectemy right now. I just don’t know how much longer I can live this way.
Amy hasn’t always been my favorite person but she has nothing but respect from me now. Her openness, her raw vulnerability, her removal of the shame around all kinds of issues we deal with (not just endo), have made her one of my favorite women out there. Knowing there is someone out there that has struggled with similar issues has done countless good for countless people. Thank you Amy!
Preach Amy! Endo sucks. I was a good performer at work but now struggle w endo and adenmyosis and some thyroid and arthritis issues just started peeking up too. One autoimmune disease increases odds of other. My boss has been railing me hard on projects and my energy is low – I feel like I don’t qualify for leave but can’t keep up anymore working over 40 hours. It’s sad like straddling between competent and incompetent. Endo derails careers! And confidence. I often wonder where I’d be w/o it!
I just had my hysterectomy in May after they found a bunch of adenomyosis spots in my uterus as well. It was triple the size it was meant to be and had grown a huge fibroid and a heap of ovarian cysts. Funnily enough I also have RA, none of it is much fun.
I feel like adenomyosis is the forgotten sister to endo, not many people have heard of it. Hell, I’d never heard of it before then.
I HAVE ADENO too! And I was astonished as I had never heard of it either, and I thought I had a pretty good grounding in women’s health issues. I’m SO glad it’s being talked about now, and I LOVE Amy for her openness. My treatments have been hormones (Orlissa fuck you) and I just got an IUD. I’m praying it works but if it does not I’m going to demand the hysterectomy. I’m over 50, had my kid, JUST TAKE IT ALL. I’m lucky that way, I feel such sorrow for women who are young and get no choice in the matter. Its such a horrible disease. No one can EVER understand that level of pain. I’m so sorry you both are suffering and hope you get relief. And I also have a low level autoimmune! But I honestly think I’ve been misdiagnosed my whole life and have had endo the whole damn time.
I had my own hellish journey with endometriosis. I knew I had it, but my husband and I badly wanted for me to get pregnant. So my doctor performed a surgery where I was opened up and he removed all the endometrial tissue possible. He told me that one ovary was the size of a large orange, and the other was only slightly smaller. He removed endometrial tissue from my ovaries, the exterior of my uterus, and my abdominal cavity. Months later I did get pregnant, but I wouldn’t wish the pain of the recovery from that surgery on anyone. My husband told me that I was in such pain that when he tried to tell me that the doctor had saved my ovaries, I replied that he should have let me die. Several years later I had a hysterectomy, and it was a walk in the park compared to that first operation. Women who deal with the physical and emotional pain from endometriosis are heroes in my opinion.
I’m one in 10 and so grateful to all the women who speak out about this horrible condition. I had surgery with the same doc as Amy & Padma and I can say it 100% changed my life! Wishing you a speedy recovery, Amy!
Well, men don’t suffer from endo, so is it really real?? One of my best friends suffers from endometriosis, and it has wreaked havoc on her life. She finally had her hysterectomy last year at the age of 37, and she had to fight for it. It’s a horribly painful disease, and Amy has been through SO MUCH with her endo and her fertility.
@GIDDY
Your husband better worship the ground you walk on, for that.
She was never someone I cared for, but after her cooking show with her husband, I found myself liking her and she really is a voice for those suffering from endometriosis. She uses her platform well and I admire her.
I’ve dealt with endometriosis for almost 20 years. Discovered when I couldn’t get pregnant. Also had my appendix removed. It’s a bad case, so bad that my doc doesn’t even want to go in to do a hysterectomy because he doesn’t know what the spread and scarring will even allow him to safely remove. I know I’m lucky because my pain is tolerable. But so many women suffer….
Amy has an over-inflated ego and borrows from other comedians. Her over-sharing usually rubs me the wrong way. But she is doing good work here. I feel for all the women who go through this. It can be hell on earth and no one cares because it doesn’t occur in a penis.
My sister-in-law had it. Luckily it was diagnosed quite early and treated effectively. She was able to get pregnant three times without any trouble and is feeling good now. I’ve heard it’s just horrible. I feel for all of you who have it and am glad Amy is bringing light to the topic. I wish her a fast recovery!
I really appreciate her being so open and speaking about this. I have a few friends who have suffered through Endo, it’s been tough for them. And women’s health issues are so often hushed up and not discussed, her speaking about it publicly is a very good thing.
I say to Amy and all those talking about Endo–KEEP IT UP. KEEP TALKING. We need more research, we need more education big time-even among doctors.
I know I shouldn’t use the internet to self diagnose, but a lot of people here are sharing their experiences with this condition, and perhaps you can help me.
I am in my 50s now, but have been suffering from something for quite a while. I like to run, but often I have to take a pain killer in advance (Aleve) to stave off major pain in my lower/pelvic region. Then when I get home I usually have to use the washroom right away and… well blood comes out. The pain usually subsides after a while, but the blood does not linger. It’s one flush and gone. I only have this problem if I run, or do a long fast walk. I know I should have looked into this a long time ago, but because I wasn’t a regular runner, only sporadic, I just chalked it up to “tears” or well, I don’t like going to the doctor. But I am running much more regularly, almost the full 18 months now, since the start of the pandemic, and I continue to have the same issues.
I also suffered from an ovarian cyst, before I was married and had two children. It was the size of a small orange. It was removed and I didn’t think anything of it. But now, 25 years later, I am thinking based on this thread, perhaps I have endometriosis? I don’t have painful periods, but they have never been regular. I don’t have chronic pain, only associated with exercise, and the bleeding is never excessive, it is only associated with the exercise.
OBVIOUSLY I need to go to the doctor to discuss this, and own up to the years I have ignored this. But should I ask the doctor to look into endometriosis? Will they bring it up anyway? I have avoided the doctor’s visit during the pandemic, but it clearly must be dealt with before we get back to normal normal. I’d appreciate anyone’s take on this. Even if you scold me for not dealing with this sooner…
Maybe a stone? The running might aggravate the bladder? But in normal circumstances perhaps not big enough to me noticed during regular movement?
I think a good place to start is to have your doctor schedule a transvaginal ultrasound as well as a CT scan to get a look at your internal organs.
Good luck!
Poor Amy. Honestly, she has been through so much. I was following her on Instagram when she was trying IVF for a second child and I just felt overwhelmed by her troubles. I was going through my own shit at the time.
I had no idea she had endometriosis–I must have missed something.
She is a courageous woman. I hope her recovery is without complications. I personally know of people who have had lesser surgeries and have ended up with wound infections that dragged out the process of recovery for months.
She has a wonderful husband and a lovely child. I think she is self aware enough to recognize that. Maybe she can do a surrogacy? First, she has to heal from this harrowing surgery.
One step at a time.
I am one of those women who didn’t know how bad her endometriosis was until after her hysterectomy. It was BAD. And I was shamed by my kids’ now-ex pediatrician for pursuing a surgical solution. No one deserves to live with that much pain.
Thanks all you CBs for sharing your stories. I’m seriously considering a hysterectomy right now for fibroid issues. It began in my 30s and I just wasn’t ready so I had a couple of non surgical treatments. But in my late 40s now I don’t see the point of enduring this pain just to avoid “early menopause.” (I had to see an urgent care doctor because my GP wasn’t available. I kinda assumed after I told my history and explained why I declined a hysterectomy at 35 but am considering one now she’d be upfront with me. Instead, she was like “have you considered going on the pill?” I mean, yeah, I was on it for 20 years. Can we please address my needs as a woman at the end of her reproductive years? Thanks).
It sounds horrific. Hope she has a swift and thorough recovery.