March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is a common condition that is often extremely painful, hard to diagnose, and can affect a woman’s fertility. In honor of this month, we’re rolling out a four-part series to bring awareness to this disease.
In the first episode in our four-part series on endometriosis, we hear from celebrity make-up artist Jessica Smith-Payne, who shares her experience of trying to get pregnant while living with endometriosis. Ever since Jessica was a teenager, she experienced pain, but her condition went undiagnosed for years. It wasn’t until she got married and tried to get pregnant, that her and her husband Logan learned that their journey of trying to begin their family would be more difficult than they had expected.
After receiving a laparoscopy and discovering that she had stage three endometriosis, the first question Jessica asked was, “Am I going to be able to be a mom?” We learn how Jessica and her husband navigated their fertility journey, given Jessica’s diagnosis with endometriosis and Logan’s male factor infertility, how the couple was introduced to IVF, and how Jessica was able to give birth to her daughter after enduring a traumatic pregnancy.
We also hear from Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, a reproductive endocrinologist with Texas Fertility Center, who dives into how endometriosis is diagnosed, treatment options and how women can build the family of their dreams.
Guest: Jessica Smith-Payne
Expert: Dr. Kaylen Silverberg, Texas Fertility Center
Host: Taylor Burbach, Patient Care Supervisor at Progyny
For more information, visit Progyny’s Podcast page and Texas Fertility Center.
To learn more about endometriosis, check out Progyny’s What is Endometriosis Infographic.
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Have a question, comment, or want to share your story? Email us at thisisinfertility@progyny.com.