Tia Mowry has spoken out about being diagnosed with endometriosis. She shared how the medical condition has impacted her life and pregnancies.
According to Hello Beautiful, Tia shared an Instagram post in honor of Endometriosis Awareness Month in March 2022. In the caption, she revealed that she was so grateful to have her children since her pregnancies weren’t easy for her due to having endometriosis.
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Mayo Clinic states that endometriosis “is an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus.” Common symptoms include painful periods, excessive bleeding, infertility, fatigue, bloating, and nausea.
In Tia’s post, she explained that when she was first diagnosed, she struggled with the possibility that she “might not be able to have kids.” She added that after she prioritized her health, made changes to her diet, and prayed a lot, she was fortunately able to have her son, Cree, and her daughter, Cairo.
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However, some cases of endometriosis aren’t able to be managed by dietary changes. According to Mayo Clinic, some people with the condition decide to use hormone therapy. This can include taking medication to prevent pregnancy, to maintain their symptoms.
In other cases, conservative surgery is performed to remove endometriosis tissue, although it can possibly grow back over time. As a last resort to help patients suffering from severe endometriosis, sometimes doctors will surgically remove the uterus.
Tia Was at Risk for an Ectopic Pregnancy
In November 2021, Tia spoke to TODAY Parents about her life before and after being diagnosed with endometriosis. She revealed that due to her age range and symptoms, the specialist who diagnosed her called her a textbook case.
Even though Tia was stunned by the diagnosis, she also felt slightly disappointed as well. She explained that she had been suffering for around five years due to her symptoms. But throughout that time, none of the doctors she had seen could diagnose what was apparently a textbook case.
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Tia added that when she finally received her diagnosis, she had been trying unsuccessfully for a while to get pregnant. She explained that people who have endometriosis are more at risk for having ectopic pregnancies. This was her main fear when she discovered she was expecting.
Tia said that because of the severe pain she experienced early on in her first pregnancy, doctors were concerned that she was experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, and both of her children ended up being born healthy.
Tia still struggles with the symptoms of endometriosis. But, she’s determined to help others who have been diagnosed with it by sharing her story. She doesn’t want anyone to feel alone, confused, or depressed as they navigate their own journeys with the condition.
That’s why she partnered with Coterie’s Becoming Parents campaign a few years ago, which raises awareness of the different paths that lead to parenthood. Tia explained that the campaign hopes to end the stigma of fertility struggles, IVF, surrogacy, and all of the other ways that help people become parents.
