"There is so little information out there about this, and there is no cure...so it is easy for us to feel helpless, scared, and alone," the actress shared.
Janel Parrish has provided fans with an update on her health.
On Tuesday, June 25, the Pretty Little Liars alum, 35, revealed that she was recently diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery to remove cysts caused by the disease.
Endometriosis occurs when the tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus grows outside of it, typically affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissue, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Parrish announced her diagnosis and recent procedure through a series of Instagram Stories on Tuesday.
“I usually keep my private life private, but I wanted to share this if it can help other women suffering to know they're not alone,” she wrote alongside a photo of herself in a hospital bed, holding someone’s hand.
“After months of excruciating pain and not knowing why, I was diagnosed with endometriosis and underwent surgery to remove cysts and scar tissue as a result of the disease,” she continued. “To my Endo sisters, there is so little information out there about this and there is no cure...so it is easy for us to feel helpless, scared, and alone.”
The To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before actress mentioned that seeing other women share their experiences on social media has made her feel stronger.
“Seeing other women posting about their experiences made ME feel stronger. I hope this helps to keep the conversation about Endo open and flowing, so we can raise awareness and lift each other up," she wrote. “We ARE strong, and we got this. I got you."
In addition to raising awareness about the disease, Parrish shared sweet snapshots of her dogs, Kleo and Moose, calling them the “best nurses.”
Endometriosis is very common, with estimates suggesting that 10% of women may be diagnosed with it. However, the condition is often missed, and on average, women in the U.S. suffer for 10 years before receiving a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a board-certified OB/GYN at Yale University School of Medicine, previously told that endometriosis is not always “obvious” to doctors.
“You may not feel any masses in the pelvis when you examine a woman. An ultrasound may not show it either,” she explained. “Sometimes you need to go into the belly and look with diagnostic laparoscopy. And the amount of pain women have does not correlate exactly with the amount of disease they have.”
Parrish joins a list of celebrities who have openly discussed their experiences with endometriosis, including Whoopi Goldberg, Bindi Irwin, Lena Dunham, Halsey, Julianne Hough, Amy Schumer, and Padma Lakshmi.
The Quran - Chapter Al-Waqi'ah : 68 - 70
Have you considered the water you drink?
Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who do so?
If We willed, We could make it salty. Will you not then give thanks?
