Living with endo, made a little more liveable.
No cures. No wellness theatre. Just the guide Jo wishes she had: symptoms, specialists, surgery prep, daily playbooks and real stories from women who get it.
Written from lived experience. Reviewed with care. Not medical advice.
For years I lived in survival mode. Constant pain. Endless appointments. Waiting for answers that never came. I was told it was normal. It wasn't. I had stage four endometriosis and adenomyosis. After hormone treatments, seven laparoscopies and a hysterectomy, I learned this: rest isn't weakness, it's wisdom.
Scarlet began as my rebellion. I wanted better options than heat packs that went cold, devices that broke and products that felt like an afterthought. Care that looks good, feels good and actually helps.
This guide isn't medical advice. It's what I wish I'd had at the start. Take what helps, leave what doesn't, and come back when you need a steady voice.
If you feel alone, you're not. If you feel angry, you're allowed. If you feel hopeful, hold onto it.
Jo xx
Owner of Scarlet
“Design can be an act of advocacy. Scarlet is mine.”
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is when tissue similar to the uterus lining grows where it shouldn't, like the ovaries, bladder or bowel. It can cause severe pain, heavy bleeding, fatigue and fertility issues. It's not just a “bad period”. It's a chronic condition that affects the whole body.
Common signs
Ongoing pelvic pain · heavy or long periods · pain during or after sex · bloating, fatigue and digestive issues · pain when peeing or pooping · trouble conceiving.
Endo or normal period pain?
| Normal period | Possible endo |
|---|---|
| Mild cramps you can manage | Pain so bad it stops you functioning |
| Flow lasts 3 to 7 days | Bleeding longer, or between cycles |
| Occasional tiredness | Exhaustion that makes no sense |
| Mild bloating | Constant, painful bloating (“endo belly”) |
| Pain only during your period | Pain during ovulation, sex or bowel movements |
Endo care takes a village.
You deserve experts who see the whole you.
Go in prepared. Come out heard.
Appointments can feel overwhelming, especially after years of not being heard. Preparation gives you back some control. The more precise you are, the faster you get answers.
What to bring
Your symptom tracker (download below) · a list of meds and supplements · notes on pain, fatigue and mood · your questions · a support person, if it helps.
How to describe your pain
Skip “it hurts”. Paint the picture: “It feels like hot wires around my stomach.” · “Like stabbing through my hips.” · “A heavy ache that makes me nauseous.” Rate it out of 10, then share the impact: “I can't get out of bed on day two.” · “Painkillers only help for an hour.” · “I miss work every month.”
10 questions to ask
- How can we confirm if this is endo?
- What scans or surgery might be needed?
- What are my treatment options?
- What are the pros and cons of hormonal treatments?
- Should I see a specialist surgeon?
- What lifestyle changes can support recovery?
- How often should I follow up?
- Can you refer me to a pelvic physio or psychologist?
- What should I track between appointments?
- Who do I contact if things worsen?
There's no one-size-fits-all fix. There is what works for you.
Good care fits your body, your symptoms and your life. The goal isn't perfection. It's progress, comfort and consistency.
Medical treatments (discuss with your specialist)
Surgery: excision removes lesions at the root; ablation burns them off. Always ask who is performing your surgery and what their experience is. Hormone therapy: pills, coils or injections; review regularly, everyone responds differently. Pain management: talk to your doctor about what mix works for you.
The everyday toolkit
The things women with endo reach for between appointments: heat (this is where rae fits: wearable warmth you can keep on at work, in bed or on the couch) · movement (gentle yoga, walking, stretching; move with kindness, not pressure) · magnesium (a warm magnesium bath is a classic flare-night ritual) · mindfulness · cycle awareness · community. Plan rest before you crash. Say no more often.
Laparoscopy: before, during and after.
A laparoscopy is keyhole surgery using small incisions and a camera to diagnose or treat endo, under general anaesthesia, usually 30 minutes to a few hours.
Before surgery
Confirm your date and follow your surgeon's pre-op instructions. Ask early about blood tests, bowel prep and fasting. Organise time off (2 to 4 weeks) and someone to drive you home and stay close for 24 hours. Fill prescriptions and stock up on easy meals, fluids and comfy clothes.
What to pack
Loose PJs, a soft dress, high-waist undies, slip-ons · phone, ID, small pillow, peppermint tea · lip balm, earbuds, a playlist, snacks, and heat for afterwards (rae fits in the bag).
Day of surgery
Check in, change into a gown, then two or three small incisions and gas in your abdomen so the surgeon can see clearly. Waking up groggy, bloated, tender, dry-throated and sore in the shoulders (trapped gas) is normal.
After surgery
First week: move gently. Walking helps the gas escape. Stay hydrated. Use heat. No lifting heavier than a kettle. The long game (1 to 6 months): healing isn't linear. Swelling, fatigue and mood dips are normal. Ease back in. Celebrate small wins, and if emotions feel heavy, talk to someone who understands chronic pain.
Real voices. Life with endo.
These women know the reality behind the headlines. Their stories aren't about “overcoming” pain. They're about living honestly with it.
Real talk. Real help.
Dr Devini Ameratunga, gynaecologist and fertility specialist
“Your menstrual cycle isn't just about reproduction. It's a monthly report card on your overall health... If a clinician tells you that painful or long periods are 'normal'? Get a second opinion.”
TRY THIS → Before your next appointment, list your symptoms, questions and test results.
Dr Jessica Theron, gynaecologist
“If your pain is so severe you're taking time off work or school, or it's starting to be there most days, that's a red flag... you don't have to do it alone.”
TRY THIS → Keep a running document of medications, symptoms and side effects. If pain is controlling your calendar, it deserves specialist review.
Everyday strategies for living (and thriving) with endo.
Endo doesn't clock off after appointments. This isn't about perfection. It's pacing, planning and protecting your energy. Small shifts. Big difference.
Your daily check-in for patterns, progress and power.
Endo affects more than your uterus. Tracking pain, energy, sleep and digestion shows you what fuels or flares you. Log around the same time daily, mark period and ovulation days, and use notes to link clues (“pain worse after a long day on my feet”, “better with a magnesium bath”). The goal isn't perfection. It's awareness.
Common triggers to watch: inflammatory foods, hormonal changes, stress and broken sleep, long sitting or travel days, cold exposure, tight clothing.
Get the trackers + the full guide, free.
29-day symptom tracker · medication and modalities tracker · flare trigger tracker
You're not alone in this.
Endo is complex, but care shouldn't be. This hub offers clarity, not cures. Whether you're searching for answers, managing symptoms or recovering from surgery, every woman featured here has stood where you are: uncertain, hopeful, learning. The road isn't always smooth, but they found their way through. You will too.
Trusted organisations: Pelvic Pain Foundation of Australia · EndoActive · Jean Hailes for Women's Health · The Endometriosis Foundation.
Questions, answered
Is this medical advice?
No. It's education built from lived experience and expert interviews. Your GP or gynaecologist should guide diagnosis and treatment.
How do I know if my period pain is normal?
Mild, manageable cramps for a few days is common. Pain that stops you functioning, bleeding between cycles, or exhaustion that makes no sense are worth investigating. Track two cycles and see your GP.
How long does endometriosis take to diagnose?
In Australia, diagnosis takes an average of 6.5 to 8 years. Tracking symptoms and asking directly for an endo specialist referral can shorten the wait.
What's in an endo comfort toolkit?
Most women build a mix: heat (wearable options mean you can keep moving), gentle movement, magnesium, rest planning, cycle tracking and community. What works varies; track what helps you.
Does Scarlet make products for endometriosis?
Scarlet products aren't medical treatments. They're comfort and period care tools that many people with endo keep in their toolkit, like wearable heat and leak-proof underwear.
This hub is education from lived experience, not medical advice. For diagnosis and treatment, talk to your doctor. If your pain is severe or sudden, seek urgent care.