Understanding Endometriosis

So, get this, over a million ladies in the UK are dealing with this super tough condition called endometriosis. It's like, the cells that should be chilling in the uterus decide to go rogue and set up shop elsewhere. And, oh boy, do they cause a ruckus with every menstrual cycle, triggering pain, inflammation, and scarring from teen years all the way to menopause.

The Long Road to Diagnosis

Taking an average of eight looong years to diagnose, Hann Dougie's battle with this began when she was just a kiddo at age 10. It wasn't until eight years later that doctors finally figured it out, even though her mum had gone through the same ordeal. You’d think they’d connect the dots quicker, right? Years of being brushed off with a "It’s all in your head" had Hann frustrated. After finally being diagnosed, one doc dropped a bombshell advice – just get pregnant. Like, seriously? She was barely 18!

Finding Relief Through Cannabis

Now at 31, Hann’s found some relief not in pregnancy but in medical cannabis, and she’s all about spreading the word. Rewind to her school days, when her periods were so brutal that she once had to be rescued by her mum during a school trip because the pain was just unbearable. Initially, doctors dismissed her pain as psychological. "Just tough out your periods," they said. Not cool. At 14, they popped her on the contraceptive pill, which did squat but mess with her mental health. Antidepressants and even antipsychotics followed, which practically turned her into a zombie. At 17, that weird pregnancy advice came. And guess what? At 18, they finally acknowledged her endometriosis. What a rollercoaster! Despite no cure, Hann soldiered on, getting both an IUD and undergoing surgeries that only gave her temporary fixes.

New Beginnings in 2021

Fast forward to 2021, and a random social media post opened her eyes to medical cannabis. Mind = blown. Why hadn’t any doctor mentioned this before?! Thanks to medical cannabis, she's kissing goodbye to other meds. She’s working more, hitting the gym, and just living the life. Even sleeping has become a dreamy experience. It’s a total game changer and she feels amazing, honestly.

Advocating for Awareness

Now, Hann isn't just managing her pain; she’s on a mission to educate others about endometriosis and fight the prejudice against medical cannabis. She’s seen a lot, from medical ignorance to outright resistance, but now leads the charge to challenge misconceptions and push for awareness about what options really are out there. It's not just about getting better treatment—it's about getting the right kind of attention to women's health issues and breaking down the barriers surrounding them. Hann’s story shows that it’s high time things changed, and medical cannabis might just be the tip of the iceberg. Who knew something as simple as sharing her story could light such a fire? Well, Hann did, and she’s not stepping down anytime soon.