Pretty Little Liars Star Janel Parrish Reveals Endometriosis Diagnosis and Surgery

Janel Parrish has recently opened up about her battle with endometriosis, a condition that led her to undergo surgery for the removal of cysts and scar tissue. Endometriosis occurs when cells similar to those found in the lining of the uterus start growing outside the uterus. During a menstrual cycle, these cells also bleed, but unlike the normal uterine lining, the blood has no way to escape. This often results in inflammation, scar tissue (adhesions), and the formation of cysts.

The 35-year-old actress from “Pretty Little Liars” used her social media platform to share her journey, aiming to raise awareness and offer support to other women suffering from this often undiagnosed condition. Addressing her 10.7 million Instagram followers on July 9, Parrish wrote, “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.”

Alongside a selfie of herself in a hospital gown giving a thumbs up, she detailed, “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.”

According to Endometriosis UK, it takes an average of seven-and-a-half years to get an accurate diagnosis after first consulting a doctor about symptoms. This delay is attributed to various factors, including the common misconception that painful, heavy periods are “normal.”

Parrish emphasized the lack of information and support for endometriosis sufferers: “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. Seeing other women posting about their experiences made ME feel stronger.”

She concluded her message by saying, “I hope this helps to keep the conversation about Endo open and flowing, so we can raise awareness and lift each other up. We ARE strong and we got this. I got you.”

In severe cases, endometriosis cells can spread widely, affecting other organs and tissues throughout the body. The condition is often linked to infertility, and many people with endometriosis also suffer from adenomyosis, where the endometrial tissue grows inside the walls of the uterus.

Other celebrities have also shared their experiences with endometriosis. For instance, former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo revealed in March that her symptoms were dismissed by 12 doctors before she received a proper diagnosis. “The debilitating pain happened and continued to progress as I got older and that’s when it really started to affect my day-to-day life where I really could not function,” she said, adding that it was the worst pain she had ever experienced.

Source: Independent