Jenna Bosi, a 29-year-old woman from Pittsburgh, underwent treatment for cervical cancer seven years ago. Since then, she has experienced pain, heavy bleeding, three miscarriages, and abnormal pap smears. Hoping to alleviate her pain and reduce the risk of cancer returning, Bosi asked for a hysterectomy, but the specialist she saw dismissed her concerns. The doctor believed she should have more children and thought he could offer alternative treatments. Bosi was shocked and left the office in tears.
Throughout her life, Bosi has experienced severe period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and other symptoms of endometriosis. In 2016, an annual pap smear detected abnormal cells, leading to a diagnosis of stage 0, in situ, cervical cancer. She underwent a LEEP procedure to remove the abnormal cells and had to undergo frequent pap smears afterward to monitor for any recurrence. At the same time, her endometriosis symptoms worsened, causing more painful cramping and heavy bleeding.
Bosi’s journey to an endometriosis diagnosis was long and difficult. It can take several years to receive a diagnosis, and as a teenager, Bosi had doctors who dismissed her pain or attributed it to depression. She once bled so much that she required a blood transfusion. After her experience with cervical cancer, it became challenging to differentiate between the symptoms of cancer and endometriosis. She experienced abdominal and pelvic pain and had frequent ultrasounds to ensure no cancerous tumor had developed. However, doctors always attributed her symptoms to endometriosis.
Bosi tried multiple treatments and diets to manage her endometriosis but found no relief. She often felt lost and unsure of where to turn for help. Despite her primary gynecologist being supportive, she often felt unheard by other doctors referred to her due to the complexity of her health issues.
Over time, Bosi’s fear of cervical cancer recurring grew, and combined with worsening bleeding and pain, she decided to pursue a hysterectomy. Her primary gynecologist recommended she consult with a specialist in minimally invasive surgery. Bosi expected the doctor to agree to the procedure, but instead, she faced disbelief and resistance.
Feeling like a “bad person” for wanting a hysterectomy, Bosi underwent another surgery to treat her endometriosis tissue as recommended by the doctor. However, the surgery worsened her symptoms and led to complications. After her recovery, her gynecologist helped her find another expert who performed the hysterectomy, removing her fallopian tubes and left ovary. Subsequent testing revealed that Bosi also had adenomyosis, a condition where the tissue lining the uterus grows into the muscle wall, causing pain and heavy bleeding. Hysterectomy is a common treatment for this condition.
Since the hysterectomy, Bosi has felt a significant improvement in her overall well-being. She hasn’t felt this good in 15 years and is grateful for the relief from chronic pain. Bosi hopes that by sharing her story, more women will seek help for their health problems. She believes that by talking openly about these issues, the shame and stigma surrounding them can be eliminated, creating a safe space for women to seek support and treatment.
