Endometriosis is not for the weak - awareness with Katso

Dimakatso Nonyana is using her experience to raise awareness about endometriosis.

The 28-year-old local said that before she was diagnosed with endometriosis three years ago, she used to experience constant pain and that doctors had treated her according to her medical history.

“I had had a few surgeries since I was born, and on top of that I had food intolerances so if I eat certain foods, I knew I would be in pain.

So I stopped eating a lot of things thinking the pain would subside but instead, it worsened.”

During the Covid-19 lockdown things got worse, she said, and at this point she consulted with her doctor every month until the diagnosis came: she suffered from endometriosis.

“The most difficult thing was to accept that the condition made it difficult to conceive. Getting this diagnosis at 25 years old, I felt overwhelmed.”

Nonyana’s diagnosis has helped her take measures and make lifestyle changes by exercising and watching what she eats.

“I have also learnt to endure more pain, because if I let pain take over my life, I would be stuck in bed every day. I got to learn my body and know what it needs, and when.

If I am tired, I need to rest and not overwork myself or else it will trigger pain,” she said.

She made a conscious decision not to become dependent on pain medication and no longer takes over the counter medication.

Nonyana is now helping to create awareness about the condition and hosted an Endometriosis Awareness Colour Run in 2022.

“I thought if I want people to come and listen to what I have to say about this condition, I have to come up with a fun way of doing it because no one would leave the comfort of their home and listen to me talk about a health condition that has nothing to do with them. And that’s when I thought of a colour run as it means parents would come and listen to what I have to say while their kids are having fun,” she explained.

This year, she’ll be hosting her third annual Endometriosis Awareness Colour Run and the response from the community has been good.

There’s still a long way ahead in terms of education on endometriosis and other female health issues, she said.

She urged people to be vocal about how they feel and ask questions when they consult a doctor to avoid being misdiagnosed.

“Whenever I visit workplaces to talk about this condition, I don’t only address the women. A woman may be the one with the condition, but the support from friends and family is very important. So it means as a father, husband, brother or friend, you need to know how to deal with a person who has endometriosis.”

Those who would like her to come to their school or place of work can contact her via social media on Facebook Katso Nonyana or Instagram Katso_ endometriosiswarrior. She will be hosting these talks from February until the end of March.

This year, the fun run will take place at Thornhill Shopping Centre on March 16.

I have also learnt to endure more pain, because if I let pain take over my life, I would be stuck in bed every day.