Dearbhail Ormond spent over a decade in excruciating pain, seeing countless doctors, and getting misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis. So, she decided to take matters into her own hands and founded frendo to help others navigate the complex world of women's health and break free from the cycle of suffering.

 

Name: Dearbhail Ormond

Pronouns: She/her

Day job: Mum/founder/women's health advocate

Location: London

 

Describe your work in one sentence.

Breaking barriers and providing tools to help women advocate for themselves around their health.

 

Can you share your own experience with menstruation?

My symptoms started around the age of 15. I had excruciating pain around my tummy, where I would often pass out. As the years went on, the pain and the symptoms got worse. Pain so bad that I once passed out, broke my sternum and cracked my chin open. This was a result of pain after sex. This was the pain I had normalised, the pain I was conditioned to accept. I had gone for about 12 years at this stage being erratically sick, seeing about 15 doctors with no answers for the vomiting, bloating, heavy periods, extreme fatigue, and fainting. I felt like it was in my head because it had no label. I would go to doctors and be tested with no answers coming back. As a result, I would feel like I was making it up, and others would think that I was too. There was nobody/nowhere I could turn to who really understood the symptoms I was feeling and how it was affecting every part of my life: my relationships, friendships, studies, career, and my physical and mental health. Later, I was forced to take time off work for unexplained pain flares and extreme fatigue. My symptoms changed over time, too, which made it even harder to diagnose. Eventually, after so many misdiagnoses, I was finally diagnosed by an endo expert in Australia with stage 4 endo.

 

Umm, 15 doctors before getting your endo diagnosis?!

I saw immunologists, gastros, rheumatologists, and many more. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, IBS, and other conditions before being correctly diagnosed with endo and adeno! I felt utterly elated and relieved. Even though the disease was found around many of my organs: ovaries, bowel, bladder, I felt so happy that finally I had answers and felt validation.

 

How did this change your perspective on women's health and wellness?

It opened my eyes to the vast inequalities to start, unfortunately. The latest statistics are that 1 in 7 suffer from endometriosis, yet it is still widely unknown and certainly under-researched and under-treated. My diagnosis and leading up to my diagnosis showed me firsthand the desperate need for society to get behind change in women’s health and health equity.

Tell us more about frendo.

A little backstory: Because of the extent of the disease and because over 50% of people with endo can be faced with infertility, I was told for much of my life that I would not conceive naturally. So, I framed a certain life with that in mind, focused on my career, and almost convinced myself that I didn’t need or want a child.
Then, out of nowhere and against all the odds, my partner and I got pregnant (well, let’s be honest—I did!) even though he calls himself Super Sperm!

Timing wasn’t ideal, but again, let’s be honest, when is it for women? I was launching my business, so I cracked on and launched frendo the day my daughter was born. My daughter is 8 times more likely to have endo because her mum has it.

For that reason, and because of the loneliness I felt in my teens and twenties as a result of the psychological impact of not being believed and of living with a chronic illness throughout my career, I built frendo and frendo@work to offer a solution for not just those who are suffering but those around them to empower them to understand the disease so that they can support them.

 

What’s your advice if someone suspects they may have endo?

Diarise your symptoms with frendo or on paper. This will empower you not to be dismissed by doctors and to have as much knowledge as possible to be the CEO of your own health.

Trust yourself. Despite the erratic nature of endometriosis or a woman’s body at times, you know your own body better than anyone. If you think something is not right, trust it and keep asking questions.

 

What are some of the highlights since launching frendo?

The endo community is what keeps me going! Being voted MyOovi Entrepreneur of the Year by the community was an honour, but TBH, it’s the DMs and emails I get that just say, ‘frendo made me feel less alone or helped me on my journey…’ that mean the absolute world to me.

 

How do you balance the juggle?

I have found it hard at times, especially lately, I’ll be honest. I think things have caught up with me since my operation (hysterectomy/endo op) in November, then back to work to launch frendo@work, wanting to be there fully for my 3-year-old and always wanting to do the right thing for friendo and my values for the business. I think my personal story has been so closely linked to the business, which I was always happy to do, but lately, it has been a bit emotionally challenging. So, I am taking a little time to step back and take it easy. I also realise my body will still be going through some changes post-hysterectomy, so I must allow it to.

I have never loved anything in my professional career as much as frendo. However, it’s also tough when people still don’t always take the topic seriously and invest in it properly. I want to find the energy again to fight for endo, and I will.

Most importantly, my daughter. I want her to see me happy and healthy. That is why I chose to have the hysterectomy, to give myself the chance to be without so much pain for her. And I feel much less fatigued and still have some pain, but less, as the adeno is obviously gone now. I want her to be proud of her Mum, whatever that means.

I’m excited about what’s cooking in the background for frendo (some surprises!), but for now, I’m focused on the present with my girl and my family.

How do you see technology shaping the future of women's health?

Technology allows us to be the CEO of our own health. When we are empowered with data, we can literally hold the power of our health in our own hands. We also need better use of the data, providing better treatment pathways through new research to desperately underfunded areas in Women's health.

From a technology and innovation point of view, what I think would be great is when we plug into broader health apps like Apple/Samsung and users can then plan/view their overall health in tune with the very specific nature of endo and adeno.

 

What’s your message to anyone struggling with period-related issues?

Open up. Talk to anyone who you trust. You can be sure you are not the only one going through whatever struggles you are going through. And always know the power is all yours when it comes to your body and your health.