We can’t travel right now. But that doesn’t mean we can’t read about travel or support women travel creators. Sarah Bence shares her own challenges of traveling with endometriosis, alongside several other creators. While we can’t travel, we can still read and share their stories.
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Endometriosis is an incurable condition that affects 1 in 10 womxn. However, awareness, research, diagnosis, and medical knowledge is abysmally low.
It takes 7-10 years on average to reach a correct diagnosis, and the only way to diagnose is through surgery.
I’m the third generation in my family to have endometriosis, and it has affected pretty much every area of my life. Including travel.
Over the years I’ve discovered hacks for traveling with endometriosis. And I decided to share my story on my travel blog to inspire the other 10% of womxn with this sometimes debilitating condition.
And the good news is, I’m not alone.
More and more of us with endometriosis are speaking up and demanding more awareness and better quality of care from the medical community. We’re also supporting each other to see the world despite chronic pain.
What is Endometriosis?
Endo- what? Endometriosis is defined as a condition occurring when tissue similar to that which lines the uterus grows outside the uterus.
This tissue causes internal inflammation and is typically associated with painful periods and reproductive symptoms. The reality is much worse.
Endometriosis has been found everywhere from the bowels to the lungs to even the brain. It was ranked by the NHS as one of the 20 most painful conditions in the world.
It leads to an array of symptoms from chronic pain and fatigue, to food intolerances, painful bloating, nausea, irregular periods, infertility, and more.
That’s why, for endometriosis awareness month, we want to highlight womxn travel bloggers who are seeing the world despite this condition.
Women Travel Creators Talking About Endometriosis
1. Sarah of Endless Distances
When I was first diagnosed with endometriosis, I was so happy to have an answer to my pain and symptoms. Then, when I realized the condition is incurable, I wondered if I’d ever be able to travel the way I “used to” again.
Over time I discovered ways to continue traveling with endometriosis, including medication, rest, and slowing down my travel style.
I also developed a passion for sharing my knowledge with others with chronic illness through my travel blog. On my own blog, I share tips for travel with both endometriosis and celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
2. Cat of For Two Plz
Cat is the blogger behind the luxury couples travel and food blog, For Two Plz. With her husband Kev by her side, Cat travels the world.
You wouldn’t necessarily assume from all her adventures, but Cat is part of the 10% of womxn with endometriosis. For traveling with endometriosis, Cat recommends tips like painkillers, staying mindful of food tolerance, and getting plenty of rest.
3. Katie of The Katie Show Blog
Katie is a solo traveler and blogger based in Italy, who runs the Katie Show Blog. Here, she shares stories and tips on “extraordinary travel experiences for ordinary people.”
Part of this mission includes candidly sharing her story with endometriosis.
Katie has always been very open about her diagnosis, and uses her blog to offer practical tips for her readers to continue traveling despite the condition.
4. Sebrin of The Clumsy Traveler
Sebrin is the influencer and full-time blogger behind The Clumsy Traveler. She travels the world with both endometriosis and PCOS and through her travels has developed some hacks to cope with her painful conditions.
Among other things, she recommends traveling with a heating pad, low impact work outs, herbal remedies, and more.
5. Amy of Temple Seeker
Amy is the full-time travel blogger behind the niche site Temple Seeker, which focuses on travel guides for temples, churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious establishments around the world.
Her career in travel blogging actually started, in some ways, due to endometriosis.
After developing severe stage 4 endometriosis, Amy had to quit her teaching career and was looking for something location independent.
Since a life-saving surgery due to her endometriosis, Amy is much more able to travel without restrictions.
6. Natalia of Something of Freedom
Natalia is one half of the couples’ budget travel blog Something of Freedom. She has openly shared her experience with endometriosis, including spending 15 years looking for a diagnosis.
Natalia now travels the world with the condition and has seen a range of places from Iceland to Colombia whilst experiencing endometriosis symptoms.
She emphasizes the importance of finding your own personal triggers and that traveling is worth it despite the challenges endometriosis presents.
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Know that if you have endometriosis and wanderlust, you’re not alone.
As these six travel bloggers prove, it’s possible to travel with endometriosis, although it might be very challenging at times.
I know that I will continue advocating for endometriosis awareness and fighting for better quality care, so those of us with the disease can experience the world the way we deserve.
Read next: Travel fitness starts at home
