Endometriosis, Breast Cancer, and Natural Birth: Janelle’s Journey of Healing

This is not intended to provide medical advice. The interview has been edited for clarity and length. Please consult your doctor for any health-related concerns.

For many women, the journey through chronic illness is long and fraught with uncertainty, frustration, and moments of feeling unseen. For Janelle Kloske, an occupational therapist and mother of two, endometriosis became a defining part of her life long before she knew what to call it. 

This is her story of pain, perseverance, and triumph over a condition that affects millions of women worldwide. From debilitating symptoms as a teenager to navigating ovarian cysts and surgeries to the joys of motherhood and helping other women on their health journeys, Janelle's story is one of resilience and empowerment.

Endometriosis Symptoms: Janelle’s Early Struggles and Diagnosis Journey

Janelle’s experience with endometriosis began at a young age, though the full weight of what she was going through wasn’t apparent until her teenage years. Reflecting on her early symptoms, Janelle shares, "I definitely started to feel symptoms when I was 16. My memory of it goes back to when I was 16, but my mom says I always had symptoms. I started menstruating when I was 12, and she remembers me suffering earlier, but it didn’t become problematic for me until around age 15 or 16."

"The pain was ever-present."

While many teenagers experience painful periods, Janelle’s pain was more than the typical menstrual cramps. It became a constant presence in her life, impacting everything from her schoolwork to her participation in extracurricular activities like orchestra. “The pain was ever-present, especially with menstruation, but it seemed to be all the time. I missed classes, including orchestra, which I loved, but I had to miss it more than I wanted because of the pain."

Janelle's Endometriosis Symptoms

• Severe menstrual pain starting around age 15 or 16

• Chronic pelvic pain not limited to menstruation

• Fatigue and exhaustion from constant pain

• Ovarian cysts that were frequent and chronic

• Painful sexual activity impacting her relationships

• Nausea related to pain

• Mood swings and fatigue from birth control (specifically the Depo shot)

• Difficulty with bowel movements after childbirth, leading to severe discomfort

  
  

Her family, concerned by the severity and frequency of her symptoms, sought medical advice. However, like many women with endometriosis, Janelle’s journey to a diagnosis was complicated by visits to multiple specialists. “I was in and out of doctors' offices, seeing gynecologists, urologists, and even GI specialists. We were trying to figure out what the heck was going on."

"The pain impacted everything. It affected what kind of job I could have, what sports I could participate in, and even my experience with becoming sexually active."

Eventually, she received her diagnosis. “I hear stories of women struggling for years to get a diagnosis, but mine came relatively early. I had two laparoscopic procedures to remove lesions and ovarian cysts, but no one ever said the words 'PCOS' to me at that time, even though I had chronic ovarian cysts."

Despite undergoing surgeries, Janelle’s pain persisted, and it affected all aspects of her life. "The pain impacted everything. It affected what kind of job I could have, what sports I could participate in, and even my experience with becoming sexually active. It was a constant companion, and I carried it with me all the time. By the time I was starting grad school at 22 or 23, I was fed up."

Managing Endometriosis with Birth Control and Lifestyle Changes

For many women, birth control is the first line of defense against endometriosis symptoms, and Janelle was no exception. She started using birth control when she was just 16 years old to manage her pain. However, the experience was less than positive.

"I started with the Depo shot when I was 16, and it was awful. I only got one of those shots and that was it. Then I switched to the pill, but I was still struggling. The birth control didn’t help. In fact, it came with its own set of side effects," she recalls. "I remember having terrible mood swings and fatigue."

By her early twenties, Janelle had had enough. She began exploring alternative methods to manage her symptoms, driven by a desire to take control of her health. "I was 22 and thought, 'I have to figure something out. Nobody’s helping me.' I was in this phase of life where I was focused, ready to learn, and absorbing everything I could."

"I started using the Diva Cup while also cleaning up my diet."

It was a conversation with a friend that led Janelle to a major turning point in her journey. "One of my friends asked me what kind of menstruation products I used, and I said, 'Whatever's on sale.' She suggested I try the Diva Cup, a silicone menstrual cup, and I was willing to try anything. I was desperate."

Janelle’s decision to switch to the menstrual cup, along with other lifestyle changes, had a profound impact on her symptoms. "I started using the Diva Cup while also cleaning up my diet. I was broke—totally funding myself through college." She began cooking more, learning about food, and making healthier choices. The combination of dietary changes and using the menstrual cup made a huge difference for Janelle. After years of frustration, she finally saw her symptoms improve.

"The day-to-day intensity of the pain was dramatically reduced."

Within just three menstrual cycles, Janelle began to feel better. "The day-to-day intensity of the pain was dramatically reduced. I was still having extremely painful periods, but I went from being laid up in bed with a heating pad and ibuprofen to being able to manage the pain in a more consistent way."

The Emotional Toll of Endometriosis: Impact on Relationships and Mental Health

Living with a chronic illness like endometriosis isn’t just physically exhausting—it also takes an emotional toll. For Janelle, the constant pain and uncertainty surrounding her condition affected every aspect of her life, including her relationships.

“When I became sexually active, endometriosis affected my experience. It’s hard to explain how much it impacts you when pain is such a big part of your life. It’s always there in the background, shaping your choices and your relationships,” Janelle explains.

"I didn’t know what endometriosis was when I was first diagnosed. Nobody explained it to me. I didn’t know it existed. I was just in pain. It wasn’t until years later that I fully understood what I was dealing with."

The emotional burden of endometriosis also extended to her mental health. “I suffered for a really long time. In my memory, the pain stands out from around 16 to well into college. By the time I was starting grad school, I was just completely fed up with this constant, nagging thing I was carrying around. It was always affecting what I did and how I felt.”

This frustration and exhaustion were compounded by the fact that, at the time, there wasn’t a lot of discussion about endometriosis or how to manage it beyond surgery and birth control. "I didn’t know what endometriosis was when I was first diagnosed. Nobody explained it to me. I didn’t know it existed. I was just in pain. It wasn’t until years later that I fully understood what I was dealing with."

Pregnancy and Endometriosis

Like many women with endometriosis, Janelle was warned early on that her condition could impact her fertility. Doctors told her that she might face difficulties getting pregnant, and the emotional impact of this warning weighed heavily on her throughout her life.

“My doctors as a teenager were telling me to have my babies early because I was destined for a hysterectomy. That really had a deep impact on me,” Janelle shares. "I had no intention of being a young mom. I had a lot of plans for myself and I wasn’t going to change that path, but I was mentally preparing for a hard road."

"Miscarriage is very common and not discussed very much, but I think those conversations are happening more now."

Despite these warnings, Janelle didn’t have any trouble conceiving. "When the time came, I had zero trouble getting pregnant. The challenge wasn’t getting pregnant, it was keeping a pregnancy. I had four pregnancies in total—two babies and two losses in between."

Janelle found comfort in the growing openness around the pregnancy loss. "Miscarriage is very common and not discussed very much, but I think those conversations are happening more now," she says.

Natural Birth and Pelvic Health

After successfully conceiving her first child, Janelle hoped for a peaceful, natural birth experience. However, her labor turned out to be long and difficult. "I was in labor for over 50 hours. My water started leaking but didn’t break fully, and my labor was slow to start. I was having minimal contractions, and it just wasn’t progressing well."

Eventually, Janelle had to be induced. "I started Pitocin, which was awful, and I ended up with a deep tear. My baby was posterior, and nobody recognized it. I was in back labor for days, which was a sign that he was in the wrong position, but nobody knew how to fix it."

"It was the most terrifying experience of my life."

The birth culminated in a harrowing moment when the doctor, after delivering the baby, realized the placenta hadn’t been delivered. "He had to go back in after stitching me up to pull out the placenta. I didn’t poop for seven or ten days after that. It was the most terrifying experience of my life."

Janelle’s first birth left her with significant pelvic floor damage, but it also motivated her to take control of her second birth experience. "By the time I was pregnant with my second child, I knew I needed a doula. My doula was amazing. She knew my story and helped me recognize the signs of back labor again. She had me do exercises to turn the baby, and it worked. The second birth was quicker and less traumatic."

The experience with birth and pelvic health inspired Janelle to pursue a career in pelvic floor therapy, where she now helps other women navigate the physical and emotional challenges of childbirth and recovery.

Janelle reflects on how grateful she is for avoiding unnecessary C-sections, noting that while medical intervention is sometimes essential, it has become far too common. She believes that women are not given enough power to create their own birth stories and allow their bodies to naturally progress during childbirth.

"Women aren't really preparing for being pregnant, for carrying a child, for delivering, and healing properly afterward," she says. This realization, combined with her experience as an occupational therapist, led her to feel that the current approach to birth has regressed. "It’s gone literally backwards from centuries ago when childbirth was a community event where women were supported, nurtured, and allowed to let things unfold naturally."

Janelle emphasizes that while there’s a place for medical intervention, it shouldn’t be the overarching norm. "So many women are scared because they’re not supported through the process. But if they’re nurtured and allowed to experience what needs to happen during labor and delivery, there’s no fear when you have the support you need around you to guide you." This passion for women’s health is central to her mission to help others feel empowered and fully supported during their pregnancy and birth experiences.

Empowering Women through Pelvic Health

Janelle’s journey through endometriosis, miscarriage, and childbirth led her to a deeper understanding of the gaps in women’s healthcare. As an occupational therapist, she saw firsthand the need for comprehensive, holistic care for women, particularly in the area of pelvic health.

"I became an occupational therapist because I’ve always loved complementary and alternative therapies. There’s so much healing power in manual therapy, energy work, and holistic approaches," Janelle explains. "After I had my kids, I realized there was a glaring hole in women’s health. That’s what motivated me to specialize in pelvic health."

Janelle’s practice, which includes manual therapy, yoga, energy work, and traditional pelvic health rehabilitation, is designed to help women heal from conditions like endometriosis, PCOS, and the aftermath of childbirth. "I’m an abdominal therapist and a certified sexuality occupational therapist. I love manual hands-on therapy, and I see amazing outcomes from it."

In her work, Janelle emphasizes the importance of empowering women to take control of their health. "Every woman deserves to be supported, loved, and nurtured through these experiences. They need the tools and resources to bring themselves through it. I partner with my clients to help them tap into their own wisdom and strength."

Endometriosis and Breast Cancer

In 2021, Janelle faced another major health challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her cancer was hormone-fed, and this diagnosis raised new questions about the role of hormonal imbalances in her health history.

"There are so many factors that come into play with hormonal balance, including environmental factors that we don’t have control over. But the important thing is to keep learning and to keep advocating for yourself."

"I had a full double mastectomy with reconstruction, and it was caused by a hormonal imbalance. This made me reflect on my history with endometriosis and even asthma, which I grew up with. These are all linked to hormonal imbalances," she shares.

Despite this new challenge, Janelle remains committed to helping women understand their bodies and advocate for their health. "There are so many factors that come into play with hormonal balance, including environmental factors that we don’t have control over. But the important thing is to keep learning and to keep advocating for yourself."

Conclusion: A Message of Hope and Empowerment

Janelle Kloske’s story is one of resilience, strength, and hope. From her early struggles with endometriosis to the challenges of miscarriage, childbirth, and breast cancer, Janelle has faced her health battles head-on. Her journey has shaped her career as a pelvic health specialist, and she is now dedicated to helping other women navigate their own health journeys.

Janelle’s message to women is simple: "Take time in choosing your providers. If the provider you’re in front of isn’t making you feel heard, leave and find someone who will. Your healthcare should feel like a partnership, not a battle."

By sharing her story, Janelle hopes to empower other women to trust their bodies, advocate for their health, and seek the support they deserve.