The American-born 2024 Paris Olympics medalist, opened up on her struggle with endometriosis illness and the stigma attached to it and how she conquered the negativity to shine at the Olympics
Britney Brown, defending champion for the 2024 Olympic 200m bronze medalist has opened up on her struggle with endometriosis and her resilient struggle to claim the medal at the Olympic stage.
According to the World Health Organization, Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant.
In an interview with Refinery29, Britney disclosed she started experiencing pain during her first period 10 years ago but she never sought medical attention until 2022. Most individuals with endometriosis experience severe pain, fatigue, depression, and anxiety which prevents them from going to work or school.
She talked about how she fights stigma and discrimination subjected to individuals struggling with endo and still manages to do what she loves best.
The Team USA athlete expressed how she encountered numerous explanations and a lot of backlashes as she launched her Olympic campaign, noting how she would be forced to tear up after experiencing sharp pains during intense workouts, mostly contributed by lack of ‘right things’ required while training as a professional runner.
“I wasn’t signed to a shoe contract in my first year of running professional track, which is what many people consider to be the standard for being a professional runner, But I was still able to reach for my dreams,” she noted.
“I wasn’t actually diagnosed until early 2023, but I knew something was wrong a lot earlier. I think it was my second year of college. I was doing a super intense workout, and I was on my period, and afterward, it was just an unbelievable amount of pain. Like, I was in the bathroom crying and shaking and throwing up,” Britany added.
The 29-year-old said she’d receive immense support from teammates who would be there for her during the tough times. After periods of struggling with unbearable pain, the Olympian decided to seek medical attention.
“I started to see doctors, and I got the same answers that so many women get, Oh, just go on birth control—just stop your period, Oh, just have a baby, or just have a hysterectomy. I called my mom crying after that one. Right. Like, no big deal, just have major surgery to remove your uterus even though we can’t tell you what’s wrong,” she narrated.
Brown noted that getting kids to cure endo doesn’t work the way people assume and that those words she received from doctors broke her mentally since she always wanted to become a mother at some point in her life.
She disclosed that her life-changing experience came after a long time of searching when she found a group of endo warriors and was able to access better medical services. Brown explained she had met great doctors from the group and had learned to listen to her body and stand up for herself.
“There is so much to navigate, and still a lot of doctors don’t know a lot about endometriosis. The more I learned, the more I realized how much you have to be your advocate”,
“I have joined an endo group chat, and it has been so amazing to have this community of women who share their experiences on medical issues, like which doctors are good, and which treatments have been effective.” She revealed.
