EndoBlack Spotlight: Amy Peerman

By Arielle Dance & troy wynne

Amy Peerman (she/her) was diagnosed with endometriosis at age 21. After witnessing her mother suffer with endometriosis, Amy and her mother recognized the symptoms as early as her first period. When she had her first surgery, she didn’t feel the relief she’d hoped for. The surgery seemed pointless and useless landing her back in the operating room just six months later. 

Now, with five surgeries under her belt, Amy feels like she’s just getting by. Her pain isn’t at it’s worst but she can feel it amping up again. She does not want to continue to have surgeries or take hormones in order to get better. 

Amy’s advice to medical providers is to listen more, acknowledge when they need to consult a specialist, and find alternative treatment options. She hopes that medical providers will be more willing to believe patients when they say they’re in pain. The disbelief of gynecologists has fueled Amy’s depression and anxiety, making it challenging to trust providers. 

Moving forward, Amy hopes to find relief without intense medications that alter her biology. “I don’t want to have to plan my life around my period or ovulation. I don’t want to keep canceling plans because of my period.” 

A special thank you to Amy for sharing her story at the Endo Black Conference in March 2024.