What it Means to be Childless in America In America, like everywhere, little girls grow up dreaming about being moms one day. We grow up playing with dolls and dreaming of our Prince Charming coming along and then we buy a house and raise babies...just like our moms did! In my case, I grew up and found my Prince Charming and was all ready for the baby...but that didn't happen! More on the story behind that in future posts. This post is looking at what it means to be childless in America. In American culture, to be childless carries a complex set of evolving meanings. These meaning are largely shaped by the sometimes subtle distinction between being childless (wanting children but not being able to have them) and childfree (choosing not to have children). While many societal attitudes are shifting towards being more accepting of not having children. We still aren't completely there! Childless Vs Childfree The core distinction between "childless" and "childfree...
Endometriosis is one of the leading causes of infertility. Endometriosis is defined as a chronic condition where tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) grows outside of the uterine cavity. This tissue is considered to be misplaced and can implant in various parts of the body, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic walls, and even the lungs. Key characteristics of endometriosis include the following: Implantation of endometrial-like tissue in areas outside the uterus. Can cause pain, from mild to debilitating, especially during menstruation. May lead to heavy or irregular periods, infertility, and bowel issues. While the exact cause is still unknown, it is believed to involve retrograde menstruation (when endometrial cells flow backwards through the fallopian tubes). There is no cure, but treatments can manage symptoms, allow for increased fertility, and improve quality of life. Diagnosing Endometriosis There are three main ways to diagnose ...