For many years, women with endometriosis have been told their pain was normal, exaggerated or simply something they had to live with. In End of the Cycle, Amy Schumer, Julianne Hough and other women are sharing their stories in an effort to change that narrative.
The new documentary, directed by Soraya Simi and Sammy Jaye, host of the iHeartRadio podcast Let's Be Real with Sammy Jaye, explores the realities of living with endometriosis, a chronic condition affecting more than 265 million women worldwide. Through candid personal stories and a look back at Marilyn Monroe's reported battle with the disease, the film sheds light on an often-overlooked health issue that continues to impact millions today.
For Schumer, living with the disease while in the spotlight brought its own challenges.
"Being in the public eye and having to deal with this disease is really unforgiving. It's a special kind of hell to be in that position of isolation," she stated.
Actress Fọlákẹ́ Olówófôyèkú recalled believing the debilitating pain she experienced was simply something she had to endure. "I thought it was just one of those things we unlucky women were given, and we had to deal with," she stated.
Looking back on the time she spent suffering from symptoms, Olówófôyèkú added, "When I calculated all the days put together, it comes up to almost six years of pain."
Others featured in the film share similarly difficult journeys. Janel Parrish revealed she had already reached Stage 4 endometriosis by the time doctors diagnosed her, while Julianne Hough recalled suffering a ruptured cyst while competing on Dancing With the Stars and fearing she might never be able to have children.
"I was just like, 'Oh my gosh, I'm scared I'm never going to have kids,'" Hough recalled. "The fear is just overwhelming."
The film also looks back at Marilyn Monroe's reported battle with endometriosis, highlighting how little was understood about the condition during her lifetime. According to Anthony Summers, author of Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe, the actress endured severe pain while living with the disease.
"She is hugely famous but there is something we absolutely did not know. Dr. Lee Siegel said to me she was medicated all the time for what we now know to have been endometriosis." Summers explained. "The pain would just about knock her out."
Despite the hardships highlighted throughout the film, the documentary also offers moments of hope. Olympian Brittany Brown shares how she refused to let endometriosis define her future despite the obstacles the condition presented.
"We chose not to let this stop us," Brown said.
By sharing their stories, the women featured in End of The Cycle hope to raise awareness of a condition that is often misunderstood and frequently dismissed. Their experiences serve as a reminder that debilitating pain should never be considered normal.
"Let women know, this is not normal. You shouldn't be in this kind of agony," Schumer stated.
The Endometriosis Collective hopes to raise awareness and funds for research, as the condition continues to be misunderstood and underfunded.
To watch the full documentary, click HERE.