Full disclosure: I am a MALE, and can not actually convey the reality that a woman must suffer from the condition of Endometriosis. I got pulled into this because my Wife (now Ex) suffered (and, likely still does) from the condition. It was a significant reason that we ultimately could not make our marriage work. I tried to get her to go to Bend, OR for treatment, but the cost ended up being insurmountable without assistance (I was in the Military and they did not recognize the Clinic as meeting their “standard for coverage”). She suffered several Laparoscopic Cauterization's, none successfully treated the condition or reduced the severity of her symptoms. We ended our relationship in 2000, and I do not know if she still suffers, or what additional treatments she may have had since.
Endometriosis is a horrible condition for any women who experiences it. Thank you Sam, for actually having the courage to talk about it on a National TV show. The truth, however, is even worse than what is described in the segment.
There are additional segments on the topic, YouTube has more links.
The other "cures" that the vast majority of OB/GYN's use, are: Hysterectomy, Laparoscopic Cauterization, and Hormones. None of these actually cure the condition, and in most instances they don't even reduce the symptoms (pain, infertility, Heart Disease). On countless forums and discussion boards, there are countless stories, from countless women, who have endured every “available” treatment regimen, over decades of trying to reduce the pain of this condition. Sadly, because of the patriarchal nature of the Medical Profession (particularly in the OB/GYN profession) these women have had to suffer the ultimate destruction of their reproductive capacity, only to STILL SUFFER from the effects of this condition. At that point, MOST GIVE UP, and simply live out the remainder of their lives (such as they are) IN PAIN!
I was fortunate enough to read an article in Cosmopolitan (of all places) back in 1992*, about a REAL DOCTOR in Bend, OR, who, until his retirement in 2012, was actually providing a treatment that WORKED. He even kept in contact with his patients and tracked their treatment for decades (most OB/GYN's don't do this, and therefore have no idea if their treatment worked or not). His name is Dr. David Redwine, and you can Google him and learn more about this amazing Physician and his battle to try (unsuccessfully) to get the OB/GYN profession to actually use his treatment and his efforts to show them his incredible skill and success. You can also read about him here: http://endopaedia.info/redwine.html
Dr. Redwine and his remarkable staff ran a small clinic in Bend, OR for decades. He used the clinic as a training facility as well as providing the only documented success data for treating the most difficult cases of Endometriosis. For more than a decade Dr. Redwine trained those Doctors who saw his treatment as the only effective treatment for the condition. Sadly that amounted to roughly about 20 to 30 highly trained professionals to practice in the U.S. BUT they are out there.
Because his treatment is “radical” or (classified as) “experimental” by most Insurers and / or Healthcare providers (in spite of overwhelming evidence and meticulous record keeping) the vast majority of women who try to access his treatment end up having to pay “out of pocket” to receive this CURE for a condition that otherwise is a DEATH SENTENCE (as noted by Samantha in the segment, the condition results in a 52% increase in death from heart disease associated with Endometriosis).
ANYONE still suffering, you may have a chance to fully recover if you can find one of his PERSONALLY TRAINED OB/GYN surgeons. They are still doing incredible work, and are the ONLY potential for true recovery.
*I can not find any reference to the article I read, so, sadly no link.