Photographer Gosia Bilicka is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this documentary. From the project ‘12 Women’. To see Gosia’s body of work, click on any photograph.

It felt as if I was being cut open alive – I lost consciousness at the critical moment.
Mary K

In Vitro was our only chance of having a child. The government took it away claiming it was a SIN. Our hopes and dreams drifted away together with free medical treatment.
Gosia Bilicka

If it hurts a lot, please go to the ER – if the tumor bursts, you may die.
Karolina S

My endometriosis is a situation where you’re walking down Marszałkowska Street and suddenly there’s blood running down your legs… the pain would be so severe sometimes, I had to call an ambulance.
Sandra H

Time passes, the world changes, people come and go. She will stay with me forever.
My endometriosis is me.
Kamila B

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects approximately 1 in 10 women. The underlying cause of the condition is the growth of the uterine lining outside the uterus, most commonly within the peritoneal cavity. The migration of endometrial tissue leads to inflammation, which can result in the formation of nodules and adhesions. The disease most often manifests as very painful menstruation, and as it progresses, the pain begins to occur regardless of the phase of the cycle. In many cases, the symptoms are so severe that they completely disrupt daily life.

Undiagnosed and consequently untreated, the disease can cause infertility or even become life-threatening. The progression and damage caused by changes in the body can be slowed down if a diagnosis is made. Unfortunately, the cause of the steadily increasing pain is detected very late, sometimes several or even more than a dozen years after the first symptoms appear.

The main reasons are misinformation and the trivialization of symptoms – often by doctors themselves. The National Health Fund allocates less than 3,000 PLN per patient per year to combat endometriosis, while surgical treatment of more severe cases can cost up to several tens of thousands of PLN.

Although the symptoms are extremely burdensome, we learn to live with the pain, reassured in the belief that we are exaggerating.

The world shrunk to the size of a bed, perimenopause, a handful of hair on the pillow every morning – a hormonal war.
Matgorzata G

A very common consequence of endometriosis is infertility. For many women, hearing the words “you won’t be able to have a child” is the same as “you’re not a real woman”.
Patrycja S

I’ve been working in a store for years. Customers don’t understand it when I suddenly collapse in pain. The girls let me stay in the back room at that time – even for a few hours.
Kasia S

At first glance, you wouldn’t notice I’m in constant pain. I combine everyday life with strong medication and the fear of another surgery. I wouldn’t be able to cope without support.
Agnieszka N

Every morning, I carry the burden of misinformation, lack of understanding, and hundreds of visits to doctors of all specialties. It took 8 years to find the cause of my pain.
Alicja W

My endometriosis means three miscarriages – year after year – always in the autumn.
Maria K

Gosia Bilicka –artist photographer, lives and works in Gdansk, Poland, President of the Pomeranian Branch of the Association of Polish Art Photographers. She collaborates with artists on curatorial matters.

All images and text © Gosia Bilicka , Translation: Marzena Skalska