The EmpowerEndo Podcast

This week we break down what's actually happening with your hormones across a menstrual cycle, and why almost everything you've heard about estrogen and endo is missing crucial context. We cover the cycle as a regulatory system, the real roles of estrogen and progesterone, why standard hormone panels can read normal while you feel terrible, and how endo changes tissue response rather than hormone...

This week we break down the relationship between food, inflammation, and endometriosis...without the diet culture noise. We go over why food isn't a cure but does matter, how blood sugar stability connects to pain signals, anti-inflammatory eating patterns, and why restriction often backfires for endo bodies. If you've ever felt like a failure because eating "clean" didn't fix your symptoms, this...

This week we break down the two main surgical approaches for endometriosis — excision and ablation — and explain why the difference between them has life-altering consequences for endo patients. We chat about physiology, outcomes, the training gap between general GYNs and excision specialists, and exactly what questions to ask before agreeing to surgery. If your pain came back after a procedure, o...

In this episode, we break down the communication gap between endo patients and their providers — and why it has nothing to do with how believable you are. She covers the structural reasons providers miss endo, the exact language shifts that change how your symptoms are documented, and how to prepare for your next appointment in a way that actually moves the needle on your care. Resources mentioned...

Up to 90% of women with endometriosis have GI symptoms. Women with endo have a 3-fold higher risk of IBS. But colonoscopy is normal. So what’s actually happening? This is the conversation most of us have been waiting to hear. We’re having it now. Resources mentioned: Flare First Aid Kit EmpowerEndo Roadmap Waitlist Research cited: Varney et al. 2025 Aliment Pharmacol Ther — EndoFOD RCT Chiaffarino...

The mental health side of endometriosis is documented, biological, and rarely discussed. In this episode we talk openly about the anxiety, the depression, the grief, and the exhaustion that come with chronic, dismissed illness — and why they are not character flaws. This is the conversation most of us have been waiting to hear. We’re having it now. A note: If you are struggling and need support be...

If you've been told your endo pain shouldn't be as bad as it is — this episode is the full picture you were missing. We break down central sensitization, the nervous system side of endometriosis, and why imaging, surgical outcomes, and disease stage are so often disconnected from actual pain experience. Your pain is real. It has always been real. And understanding where it actually lives changes e...

If you've had endo surgery and you're still in pain — this episode is for you. If you have pelvic pain that doesn't track with your cycle — this episode is for you. If pain with sex, sitting, or bladder function is part of your endo picture — this episode is for you. Pelvic floor physiotherapy is one of the most underprescribed and underappreciated pieces of endometriosis care. In this episode we...

Most women with endometriosis are prescribed birth control without a complete explanation of what it's actually doing. Not the side effect list — the mechanism. What hormonal suppression does to the disease. What it can't do. And what that means for your long-term care. In this episode, we break down the distinction between symptom management and disease treatment, why that difference matters more...

If you've been seeing a general OB/GYN for your endometriosis and still don't have real answers — this episode is for you. In this episode I'm walking you through exactly how to navigate the medical system with endo; from finding the right provider, to knowing what green and red flags look like in the room, to what to bring to every appointment so you stop leaving empty-handed. We cover: Why gener...

Five of the most damaging myths in endometriosis care — debunked with clinical depth and zero fluff. If you've ever been told a hysterectomy will cure you, that pregnancy will fix it, that menopause is the answer, that birth control is treatment, or that your pain is just bad periods — this episode is for you. Free resources mentioned: → 5 Questions Every Endo Patient Should Be Asking → Endo Flare...

The average woman waits 7–10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis. In this episode we break down exactly why that delay exists, what it costs women, and what you can do right now to navigate the system more effectively. If you want the FREE guide mentioned in this episode - click here Follow me on instagram for living daily with endometriosis and even more education, @samanthadc.dc and on TikTok @...

If you've ever left a doctor's appointment feeling dismissed, unheard, or like you had to fight just to be believed — this episode is for you. The hard truth is that most physicians receive only a handful of hours of endometriosis training across their entire medical education. That's not a you problem. That's a systemic failure. And today we're talking about exactly how to work around it. In this...

If you’ve ever been told: “Your ultrasound was clear.” “So it’s probably not endometriosis.” This episode is for you. A normal image does not rule out endometriosis — and understanding why can completely shift how you interpret your results. In this episode, we break down: What ultrasound actually measures (structure — not inflammation) Why superficial and microscopic lesions often don’t show up o...

If you’ve ever been told that endometriosis pain should only happen during your period — and your body strongly disagrees — this episode is for you. In this conversation, we unpack the science behind non-cyclical pain in endometriosis. Because pain outside of bleeding is not random. It’s not dramatic. And it’s not a sign that you’re “worse.” Endometriosis is more than a menstrual condition. It’s a...

If you’ve ever felt confused, discouraged, or strangely unsatisfied after being told your endometriosis “stage”… this episode is for you. Because here’s the truth most women aren’t told: Your stage number does not predict your pain. It does not measure inflammation. And it does not determine how your nervous system is responding. In this episode, we’re unpacking what staging actually means, what i...

Fertility is one of the most emotionally charged topics tied to endometriosis — even for women who aren’t actively trying to conceive. In this episode, we’re unpacking how endometriosis can influence fertility. Because endometriosis does not automatically mean infertility — and fear-based messaging helps no one. This conversation is about understanding risk vs certainty , why fertility looks diffe...

One of the most searched — and most feared — questions about endometriosis is: “Does endometriosis get worse over time?” In this episode, we unpack what progression actually means when it comes to endometriosis — and why the answer is far more nuanced (and far less terrifying) than most people are led to believe. We explore the difference between disease progression vs symptom progression , why pa...

Pain that doesn’t follow your cycle can be one of the most confusing — and distressing — parts of living with endometriosis. In this episode, we explore why endometriosis pain can show up anytime, what pain science actually tells us, and how to think about staging and fertility without fear or catastrophizing. This conversation is about understanding your pain — not questioning it. In this episode...

If you’ve ever been told your scans are “normal” but your body still feels anything but — this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, we break down endometriosis in a way that actually makes sense. No minimizing. No medical gaslighting. Just clear education so you can better understand what’s happening in your body and why your experience is valid. This episode is designed to help you replac...

The holidays are supposed to feel joyful — but for many of us with endometriosis, they can bring a mix of stress, exhaustion, and anxiety about flare-ups. Between family gatherings, rich food, disrupted routines, and travel, it’s easy to feel like your body is working against you. In this final episode of the year, we’re talking about  how to enjoy the holidays with endometriosis — on your te...

If you’ve ever walked out of a doctor’s office feeling dismissed, confused, or questioning your own pain — you are  not alone.  Advocacy can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already exhausted by your symptoms. In this episode, we’re talking about what  self-advocacy  really means for women with endometriosis — how to speak up, ask the right questions, and build a care...

If you’ve ever left an appointment feeling more confused than when you went in, this episode is for you. Most doctors mean well—but when it comes to endometriosis, many simply haven’t been given the full picture. In this episode, we’ll uncover what  most doctors don’t know  about endo (and why it’s not your fault if you’ve felt dismissed or misunderstood). You’ll also learn the  key...

Endometriosis doesn’t just affect your body — it impacts your emotions, your relationships, your identity, and even how you see your future. In this episode, we dive deep into the  emotional side  of endo that’s often ignored in medical conversations. You’ll learn how chronic pain, hormonal changes, and feeling dismissed by the healthcare system can contribute to emotional burnout… and m...

Today we dive into the actual things you can do in the areas of nutrition, movement and stress management that helps support your immune system. Why are we supporting the immune system when we have endometriosis? Because! It's a whole body inflammatory disease! Listen to the whole episode to learn little tips, tricks and bite sized habits you can start adding to your daily rotation to help manage...