It’s not the first time Lena Dunham has spoken publicly about her struggle with endometriosis. The actress and writer is renowned for sharing her experiences in order to help others suffering from the female condition.
In a new episode of her 'Woman of the Hour' podcast, Lena speaks directly from the emergency room alongside her producer. The Girls star told listeners that it was her fourth visit in the last three and a half months as a consequence to the condition.
“Third time for ovarian troubles: once was a broken radial head elbow fracture caused by tripping over a flip flop. But this is my fourth time and I spend a lot of time in this emergency room,” she told listeners.
The 30-year-old explained how she believed she had been suffering from a urinary tract infection for the past week. However, despite taking antibiotics, the actress suffered from growing pelvic pain which quickly became unbearable.
Lena explained in the podcast, “I’ve been hurting more and more. I started antibiotics, didn’t do anything, and the pain in my back and my pelvis has become overwhelming and so I’m here to figure out if I have an ovarian cyst or some other kind of ovarian issue that’s causing the continuous pain that is draining me of my life force.”
Lena detailed how she had been given morphine in the past to cope with the pain though it does not come without side effects. The last time the actress was administered a dose of morphine, Lena suffered from withdrawal symptoms, including shaking, sweating and crying.
She admitted: “I felt like I’d done something terribly wrong just by wanting to feel better.”
Over 1.5 million women in the UK currently live with endometriosis. Symptoms include heavy and painful periods, bowel problems, bladder issues, depression and infertility. With advice from the GP, most of these symptoms can be managed.
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