For many years, I lived with pain I was told was normal. I started my menstrual cycle at the age of 16, and from the very beginning I experienced severe cramps and heavy bleeding that often soaked through my clothes and bedding. Every month, I had to step back from life because I simply couldn’t function.
Whenever I visited my GP, I was reassured that this was simply part of being a woman. I was even told that once I had children, the pain would go away. I believed that too. I went on to have two pregnancies, but nothing changed. Growing up, I was also told an old myth that my painful periods were because I had shared my school belt or skirt with someone who also suffered from period pain. Looking back, it sounds unbelievable, but as a young girl searching for answers, I accepted it.
As the years passed, the pain became worse. My periods stretched from 5 days to 10 days, and the bleeding became so heavy that I lived in constant fear of accidents in public. I planned my days around bathrooms and painkillers. Anti-inflammatory medication became a necessity just to get through work and everyday responsibilities. Nearly twenty years passed like this. I learned to smile through the pain.
What people couldn't see was the toll it took on my mental and emotional wellbeing. Living with constant pain left me physically drained and emotionally exhausted. Some days I struggled to concentrate, simple tasks felt overwhelming. Deep down, I knew something wasn't right, but I had no explanation for what I was experiencing.
Everything changed in 2022 when I finally saw a gynaecologist. After years of unanswered questions, I received a diagnosis: stage 4 endometriosis. For the first time, I had proof that my pain was real. Further scans revealed fibroids, cysts, and a swollen uterus, confirming that my body had been battling far more than anyone had realised.
I still remember the specialist explaining that my haemoglobin and iron levels were dangerously low because of excessive bleeding. Hearing the seriousness of my condition was frightening, but for the first time, I felt truly seen and believed. After nearly two decades of being told my pain was normal, I had finally found a doctor who understood exactly what was wrong with me and was determined to help me.
In March 2022, I underwent laparoscopic surgery, which confirmed the severity of the disease. Despite the procedure, the damage was extensive. Just a few months later, in August 2022, I underwent hysterectomy. It was not a decision I made lightly. It was the result of years of suffering and a body that had reached its limit.
Today, four years after my hysterectomy, I have my life back. I wake up without pain controlling my day. I no longer organise my life around my menstrual cycle or worry about whether I will make it through work or family events. Instead of living in survival mode, I can simply live.
"My experience has made me passionate about raising awareness of endometriosis because I know how often women's pain is dismissed or normalised."
I also know how myths, misinformation, and well-meaning advice can delay women from seeking the help they need. Endometriosis is not just "bad period pain." It is a chronic, life-changing disease that affects every part of a woman's life and can take years to diagnose. Early diagnosis and treatment can make a significant difference, yet too many women continue to suffer in silence.
I share my story because I want other women to save their uterus, to trust their bodies and seek answers when something doesn't feel right. No one should have to spend decades believing that unbearable pain is simply part of being a woman or accepting myths instead of medical answers.
Endometriosis changed my life, but it did not define me. If sharing my journey helps even one woman feel seen, heard, and encouraged to seek help sooner, then every difficult chapter has been worth telling.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Noma is a wife, proud mother of two, television personality, and accomplished hospitality and events professional based in Gqeberha. Best known for her appearance on Real Housewives of Gqeberha, she also works within the Hospitality and Events team at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Drawing on her personal experience with endometriosis, Norma is a passionate advocate for women’s health, using her platform to raise awareness, encourage early diagnosis, and empower women through education, support, and open conversation.
