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The Endo Vida

@theendovida

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💛Practical resources, modified recipes, & curated finds for managing everyday life with endometriosis + adenomyosis in and out of the doctors office.

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This weekend was rough. It felt like no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t get anything done. I had a long list of tasks waiting for me, and somehow I managed to do a little bit of everything without finishing anything. I would start one thing, then halfway through get distracted and move on to something completely unrelated. My brain felt scrambled and my body was just tired. The mental fatigue, the brain fog, and that quiet pressure to always be productive started piling up.

I sat with that defeated feeling for a while. Weekends are when I usually try to catch up on everything I didn’t get to during the week. But this time, my body and mind weren’t cooperating. So I called a friend, told them everything, and they simply said, “You need to rest.” They reminded me of how much I’ve accomplished this year, even with everything life has thrown at me. That reminder hit me in the right way.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing at all.

So instead of tackling my to do list I ate what felt gentle on my body and didn’t leave me feeling worse afterward. I let myself sleep in without guilt and gave up the pressure to push through the exhaustion. I slowly chipped away at small task on my to do list that actually felt doable. That looked like drinking water, staying in soft clothes, laying on the couch, and rewatching the same comfort show without judging myself for it.🤣

Resting was exactly what I needed. It wasn’t lazy. It wasn’t falling behind. It was me listening to my body for once instead of ignoring it.

Not everything has to be productive to be worth doing. I don’t need to earn rest by reaching some imaginary limit. I already deserve it, exactly as I am. by @theendovida

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3

a year ago

Let’s be real working a traditional 9-to-5 while dealing with endo is brutal. The constant pain, fatigue, and unpredictability of flare-ups make rigid schedules and long commutes feel impossible. This is why so many endo warriors turn to remote work, where there’s more flexibility to actually take care of your body without sacrificing a paycheck.

But let’s get one thing straight just because we work from home doesn’t mean it’s easy. Endo doesn’t clock out when we log in. We’re still pushing through brain fog, fatigue, flare-ups, and those days when just existing feels like a full-time job. Remote work gives us flexibility, but it doesn’t erase the struggle.

If you’ve been thinking about making the switch to remote work but don’t know where to start, aquí tienes a guide to help you get there.

Where to Find Remote Jobs (These websites are goldmines for remote job listings across multiple industries)

💛 Remote.co: Tons of remote job opportunities, including entry-level roles.
💛 FlexJobs: A paid service, but great for avoiding scams and finding solid remote jobs.
💛 AngelList: Ideal for finding remote jobs in startups.
💛 Remotive: Lists remote-friendly jobs across industries, including tech and customer support.
💛 LinkedIn Jobs: Use the search filters to find “Remote” positions in your field.

These platforms offer online courses that can help you build in-demand skills for remote jobs:

💛 Coursera – University-level courses in business, data science, programming, and more.
💛 Udemy – Affordable courses on digital marketing, coding, and virtual assistance.
💛 Skillshare – Great for creative skills like graphic design, writing, and video editing.
💛 Google Coursera – Certifications in UX design, project management, and IT support.

Finding a remote job with endo-friendly flexibility takes time and the right resources. I’ve put together a guide with more job boards, skill-building sites, and tips from my own experience working from home with a chronic illness. Head to my blog for the full breakdown. 💛

#remotelife #remoteworker #endometriosiswarrior #endometriosissupport #digitalnomadgirls by @theendovida

7

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a year ago

For years, I pushed myself to keep up with everyone around me. I stayed quiet in moments when I wanted to speak up. I said yes when I wanted to say no. I showed up to events, work meetings, dates, and family gatherings even when my body was screaming for rest. I convinced myself that being strong meant hiding how much I was struggling.

There were times I felt dismissed, not just by doctors but by people I loved. Family would change the subject when I brought up my pain. Partners told me they understood, but their expectations stayed the same. They still wanted me to move through life at full speed, even when I was barely making it through the day.

People expected me to function like a healthy person because I looked like one. What they didn’t see was everything I was carrying behind the scenes. They didn’t see the nights I couldn’t sleep because of sharp, burning pain. They didn’t see the energy it took just to sit upright at a table or respond to a text. They didn’t see how carefully I planned my day around the fear of another flare-up.

Over time, I realized I was doing the best I could with the tools I had. That truth became my boundary. If someone could not accept that I was showing up in the ways my body allowed, then they did not need full access to me.

It is not my job to meet someone’s expectations of wellness. It is not my responsibility to convince people of what I live with. What I owe myself is compassion, honesty, and rest when I need it.

Living with endometriosis means carrying more than most people will ever understand. It means learning how to advocate for your needs, even when it makes others uncomfortable. It means accepting that some people will not get it, and letting that be enough.

The people who love you will meet you where you are. They will walk at your pace. They will support you without needing to be asked.

I am doing the best I can. That is more than enough.

#EndoVida #LatinaWithEndo #ChronicIllnessTruth #EndometriosisAwareness #EndoBoundaries #YouAreEnough #RealSupport #EndoRelationships #DoingMyBest by @theendovida

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a year ago

You ever seen primas argue over flan at a family party? It always starts innocent “Mine’s just a little creamier”—and before you know it, it’s a full-on Latina Food Network showdown, minus the cameras but with twice the drama. Someone’s offended you used coconut—“¿Desde cuándo el flan lleva coco?” Meanwhile, someone else is deeply insulted you didn’t. Another swears abuela’s original recipe had orange zest, but nobody remembers that version except her. There’s a heated debate over whether to bake it in a baño María or straight in the oven (que sacrilegio), and suddenly you’ve got full-blown dessert warfare.

Then there's the silent tía in the corner who won’t say a word but her facial expressions say everything. One bite and she’s already passing judgment with a slow head shake and a whispered, “Eso no es flan, mija.” And don’t even get her started on the person who brought the store-bought version in the plastic container.

Somehow, every family thinks their flan is the best recipe. Some make it eggy, some like it silky smooth. Puerto Rican style, Cuban style, with cream cheese, without. If your family’s like mine, you’re not just bringing dessert you’re stepping into a culinary cage match. It’s dramatic. It’s passionate. It’s personal. And honestly that same energy is exactly what we need when we’re advocating for ourselves.

Because showing up to doctor’s offices, managing flare-ups, questioning bad advice, and doing your own research along the way takes flan-fight level strength.

So the next time you’re doubting yourself, remember: if you can survive a family dessert debate without flipping the table, you can handle this. You already are.

Ok now I want some flan. Feel free to share your favorite flan recipes in the comments jaja. by @theendovida

3

1

a year ago

When I was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, I thought it would lead to answers. I thought having a name for what I was experiencing would change something. Well it didn’t. I had ablation surgery, and within one month the pain came back more intense, more unpredictable, and more emotionally draining than before.

The symptoms I thought the surgery would ease only got worse. I began bleeding at random times, developed new digestive issues, and felt more disconnected from my body than ever. I returned to my doctor, hoping for the next step, only to be offered the same treatment I had already tried before diagnosis. I was told to try a different birth control, to take stronger pain medication, and once again, I was told that pregnancy might help ( it doesn’t) nor was I open to that as a young college student.

Even after surgery, I was still being dismissed. The diagnosis changed the vocabulary, but not the way I was treated. I switched doctors. I went through another round of birth control, pelvic exams, and blank stares when I tried to describe my pain. Each new provider promised something different but offered the exact same plan. Nothing changed. The cycle repeated for years.

I felt broken. Not just physically, but emotionally. I was exhausted from surviving flare after flare while trying to hold down a job, go to college, maintain relationships, and keep functioning in a world that had no understanding of what I was living through.

Eventually, I stopped looking to the medical system for solutions. I began trying everything people in my life recommended acupuncture, hypnosis, massage, bodywork, energy healing, ancient modalities. I was open to anything that didn’t leave me feeling dismissed or gave me side effects.

Traveling and learning from other cultures gave me perspective I never found in a clinic. It didn’t fix everything, but it taught me to stop chasing the same cycle and start finding my own way.

#endovida #theendovida #latinablogger #wellnessjourney #endometriosis #adenomyosisawareness #adenomyosis by @theendovida

3

0

a year ago

After two decades of navigating this disease, I’ve learned things that no doctor ever prepared me for. Lessons I picked up in between surgeries, flare-ups, career shifts, heartbreak, and healing. If you’re somewhere on this journey you might be able to relate.

1. You can save money on endo care, but it takes planning.
This disease is expensive. Meds, scans, supplements, therapies, lost wages it adds up. I’ve learned to use my HSA for everything I can (acupuncture, PT, devices, menstrual products), to ask for itemized bills and payment plans, and to research patient assistance programs. Endo forces you to become your own financial strategist.

2. Remote work changed my life.
Being able to lie down with a heating pad, take breaks when I need to, or just wear what feels good on high-pain days made a huge difference in my work/endo life balance. None of that was possible in a traditional office. Remote work gave me the space to manage my condition without pretending I was fine.

3. You need to talk to your people about your diagnosis.
I spent years trying to hide how bad it was. But the truth is, you can’t build support if no one knows what you're going through. I had to learn how to explain my needs clearly without shame or sugarcoating. Some friends pulled closer. Some drifted away. Both were necessary.

4. Endometriosis affects relationships in ways no one warns you about.
Sex, intimacy, fertility, energy, emotional availability it touches all of it. It took time to learn how to advocate for myself inside a relationship, how to communicate pain without guilt, and how to release the pressure to show up perfectly. The right partner will learn with you. Not for you, but with you.

5. Finding an excision surgeon is worth the fight.
I wasted years in the care of providers who didn’t understand endo. What finally helped wasn’t a pill or a procedure it was working with someone who knew exactly what to look for and how to treat it. Finding an excision surgeon took time, research, and persistence. But it gave me my life back.

#EndoVida #EndometriosisSupport #LatinaWithEndo #RemoteWorkWithChronicIllness #ExcisonSurgery #EndoRelationships by @theendovida

3

1

a year ago

I got my first taste of living abroad when I was accepted into a study abroad program in college. I remember staring at that acceptance email and feeling equal parts excited and terrified. How was I supposed to live in another country when some days I could barely make it out of bed in this one?

Back then, there were no guides on how to study abroad with endometriosis. Hell, there weren’t even guides on having endometriosis. All I knew was that this opportunity felt too big to pass up… even if my pain made it feel impossible.

So I got to work. I met with all my doctors and built a plan from scratch. That meant loading up on enough medication to last the semester, mapping out emergency rooms near my host home and university, and purchasing international insurance because the student plan wasn’t going to cut it. I even had my acupuncturist prep me an entire stash of herbs that somehow made it through TSA.

My suitcase looked less “abroad adventure” and more “portable apothecary.” Heating pads, ginger chews, tinctures, supplements, meds. And snacks. So many gluten-free snacks because navigating a wheat-heavy country with dietary restrictions was another layer no one prepped me for.

But I did it. Not without challenges, not without flare ups. But I did it. And that one experience changed my life because since then, I’ve lived and traveled all over the world.

If you're living with endo or adeno and dreaming of seeing the world, I’m here to tell you: it’s possible. With prep, patience, and a carry-on full of endo essentials, you can make it happen.

🧳 More travel tips and stories coming soon. I’m finally ready to talk about what it really took to live a digital nomad life with endometriosis. by @theendovida

7

1

a year ago

It took 9.5 years to get a real diagnosis.

Nearly a decade of being told it was “just bad cramps.”

I was misdiagnosed more times than I can count. IBS,, acid reflux, UTIs, anxiety, ovarian cysts, stress, food poisoning, obesity even though I was fit 115 pounds or I was told it was “normal period pain.” Each time, I was sent home with painkillers, antibiotics, or new birth control to test out and told to come back if it got worse. It always got worse.

I was hospitalized multiple times. ER visits that ended in IV fluids and dismissal. Once I was told it was in my head. Another time, that I needed to drink more water.

At some point, you start to question yourself. You wonder if maybe this is just how your body works. You learn how to hide your pain at work, at dinner, on vacation. You push through it. You cancel plans and feel guilty. You go silent about your symptoms, because nothing ever changes when you speak up.

I kept thinking the next doctor would finally help. The next referral. The next test. The next surgery. But no one ever put the pieces together. No one said the word endometriosis until I was deep into advocating for myself with everything I had left.

And when I finally got the diagnosis, it didn’t feel like relief. It felt like grief. Grief for the years I spent suffering in silence. For the relationships strained by misunderstanding. Getting the diagnosis was just the beginning of decades of the same treatment. If I could tell anyone anything is find a highly experienced endo surgeon and specialist. It makes the difference in your care. I know you may want to rush to see the first person who can see you or who you can afford but trust me, waiting for the right specialist will make all of the difference in your care. If you're not sure where to start check out Icarebetter.com. I also listed some resources on my website as well. If you're feeling lost on your journey feel free to DM me. Im always happy to lend an ear. by @theendovida

11

1

a year ago

There’s a long list of things I wish someone would have told me before I walked into that operating room. Not surface-level tips but the real details that make all the difference when it’s your body, and your recovery on the line.

1. Not every OB-GYN is qualified to treat endometriosis.
If you’re having exploratory surgery, make sure your surgeon is an excision specialist not just someone who says they’ve “done it before.” They should be trained to recognize and remove endometriosis if it’s found. You also want someone who works with a multidisciplinary team. Endo rarely affects one system. It can involve your bowels, bladder, pelvic floor, nervous system, and more. A true endo specialist doesn’t work in isolation, they treat the whole picture.

2. You may qualify for short-term disability.
I used my vacation time for surgery and returned to work while still bleeding and in pain. No one told me I could have applied for short term disability benefits through my job or state. I didn't even know to ask. Don’t assume you have to use PTO. Give your body time to rest and heal.

3. Recovery may take longer than they say.
I was told 1-2 weeks. It took months to feel back to normal. Every case is different but its important to note it may take longer than what the doctor says.

4. Budget for healing not just surgery.
Lost income, meals, supplements, post-op care, rides to appointments it adds up fast. If possible, create a recovery fund. The cost of healing is real, even when your surgery is “covered.”

5. Ask about adenomyosis.
If your uterus feels heavy, crampy, or tender most of the month, bring it up. Adeno is often missed unless you specifically ask.

6. Talk through the post-op plan.
If they find endo or adeno, will your treatment plan change? Who will manage your care after surgery? Ask these questions before, not after, when your body and brain are in recovery mode.

7. Support your nervous system.
In the weeks leading up to surgery I have learned to add acupuncture, gentle movement, and breathwork to help regulate my nervous system prior to surgery.

💛 I’m sharing this because I had to figure it out alone. You shouldn’t have to. by @theendovida

3

1

a year ago

Endometriosis care is expensive, period. But if you’ve got an HSA or FSA, you can use it to cover a lot of the things you’re already paying for out-of-pocket. Here’s how I’ve used mine to survive the rising cost of navigating endo and adeno. If your employer doesn't offer one you can also purchase one for yourself through a third party company as long as you have a high deductible insurance plans. This rate changes every year so be sure to google it.

1. Pelvic Floor Therapy
In my experience, most pelvic PTs don’t take insurance. They’ll offer a superbill, but that doesn’t help in the moment. Using HSA/FSA funds can offset the cost while helping you reach your deductible faster.

2. Acupuncture
It adds up quick, especially when insurance doesn’t cover it or limits you to 6 sessions a year. Use HSA for acupuncture and for Chinese herbs.

3. Period Products
Pads, tampons, liners, cups, and period underwear are all eligible. I use mine to stock up on the organic brands that don’t irritate my skin.

4. Surgery Recovery Supplies
From disposable underwear to heating pads to the frida mom products I love to much, you can cover your whole recovery kit.

5. Medications
Everything from pain meds to hormone treatments, stool softeners, gas relief, and anti-nausea tabs. I keep all my receipts and use my card at the pharmacy.

6. Myofascial Release & Massage
Scar tissue can build up fast post-op and massage can help with that. I book bodywork sessions after my doctor has cleared me for sessions.

7. Copays
Every visit to an OBGYN, therapist, pelvic PT, surgeon, nutritionist. Using your HSA card for copays helps push you toward your out-of-pocket max.

8. Medical Devices
I’ve used mine on a TENS unit, pelvic wand, infrared heating pad, massage tools, filtered water systems and even a fancy sitz bath.

9. Mental Health Support
Living with endo affects your mind and therapy can help you navigate medical trauma and the ups & downs of the condition.

10. Nutrition Support
Endo-aware dietitians aren’t cheap but it does make a huge difference in your journey. HSA/FSA can help cover the cost. by @theendovida

2

1

a year ago

When I got my first period, there were no big talks. No breakdown of what to expect or how to know if something wasn’t normal. In my family, we didn’t really talk about those things. My grandma handed me a heating pad and told me it was part of being a woman. That was the lesson. You deal with it and you move on.

Looking back, I think that silence shaped the way I carried my pain. I didn’t question the vomiting or the stabbing cramps that dropped me to my knees. I didn’t think twice when I had to miss school or curl up on the bathroom floor for hours. I thought maybe my body was just bad at being a woman. But even that thought felt too big to say out loud.

In our culture, reproductive health wasn’t something we named. We didn’t say words like “endometriosis” or “fibroids” or “adenomyosis” at the table. Everyone just had “bad cramps.” No one ever said maybe something else is going on.

And so I assumed this was just my version of womanhood. A harder one, sure, but maybe not that different from what everyone else was going through. No one around me seemed to be asking questions, so I didn’t either.

It wasn’t until I was older and completely exhausted that I started to realize this pain wasn’t something I had to just live with. It wasn’t something I deserved or something I needed to push through in silence. It was something that needed answers. And I wish I had known that sooner.

Talking about endo and adeno might not be something we grew up with, but it’s something we can grow into. And for me, that starts here with this post, with this story, with all the stories I’m finally ready to tell.

💛 I’m slowly building a library of tools and resources that helped me survive all this. Emphasis on slowly porque I’m a one-woman team with a heating pad and a dream. There’s not a ton on there yet, but what’s there is real and it’s growing. Check out my website, follow the blog, or hop on the mailing list if you want to stay connected. I’m building this space little by little, flare por flare.

#EndometriosisAwareness #LatinaWithEndo #endovida #latina by @theendovida

2

0

a year ago

When I was a teenager, the only thing I ever tracked was the start of my period and even that was scribbled somewhere in the margins of my school planner. No one ever told me that I should be tracking more than just dates. And honestly, I wouldn’t have known what to track anyway.

For years, I was in and out of doctor’s offices with no answers. Just prescription after prescription. New birth control every few months. New pain meds that never really helped. I was treated like a mystery, but no one seemed that interested in solving it.

When I started tracking my symptoms I didn’t have a plan or a system in place, I was just tired of forgetting things. Tired of trying to explain my pain to people who didn’t believe me. I began writing down the days I felt worse, what I ate, how I slept, how bad the cramps were, and when they came. And slowly, I started noticing patterns.

I realized that the pain didn’t just show up during my period. It had a rhythm of its own. I saw that stress made it worse. That ovulation brought a whole other wave of symptoms. I learned something I never expected, that some of the foods I thought were good/healthy for me were actually triggering my symptoms.

I had no idea that high-histamine foods and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, arugula could trigger my endo so badly it would put me in bed for days on end. I thought I was doing something healthy. Turns out, my body was sending me signals I hadn’t learned to read yet.

Now, tracking is how I stay grounded. It’s not about perfection. It’s not about control. It’s how I stay connected to my body and catch patterns before they spiral. I’m not saying it fixed everything but it gave me back a little bit of power. If you haven’t started tracking your symptoms yet I highly recommend that you do. Also I found that working with a nutritionist helped me uncover a lot about the food im eating. If you have insurance you can find a nutritionist from free to low cost through many new online platforms. I will be writing a post on that soon.

#endovida #endoawareness #adeno #healthtracking #health #theendovida #latinablogger #endometriosis #adenomyosis by @theendovida

0

0

a year ago