Bearing the Unseen: Resilience in the Shadows of Endometriosis

This image captures the unseen struggle of women with endometriosis. My research brings into focus the daily reality of chronic pain management such as: over the counter and prescription medications, the necessity of a heat pad, the presence of water and tea, and the TENS machine that offers brief moments of relief. Through my research, I have conducted ethnographic interviews with women who share the ways they navigate life with endometriosis. This bedside scene, laden with the visible markers of pain, reflects the intimate routines and self-care strategies that often go unrecognized. My work seeks to amplify these experiences, revealing the resilience and adaptations that women with endometriosis embody in their journey toward relief. Among several images I created, this image was chosen by women with endometriosis in an online support group to represent their experience.