Julianne Hough Opens Up About Her Endometriosis And How Her Husband Helps Her In Dealing With It
Dancer Julianne Hough finally talked about her struggle with endometriosis and how her husband, Brooks Laich, helped her deal with the pain.
In 2008, Hough opened up about her diagnosis with a reproductive disorder called endometriosis. It is a disease in which the tissues that are supposed to line the inner portion of the uterus grows outside instead.
Despite coming out with the news, the 29-year-old Hough shied away from elaborating about her medical situation until her marriage to Laich. Hough said she is now learning to relax her competitive spirit and allow her husband to be there for her during the trying times.
"But then at the time, I was like, I don't know if I really want to talk about this, it's very personal and there can be some misconceptions about certain things and I was like, I don't have the answers yet," Hough explained in an interview.
Owning Endometriosis
Hough talked about how she can open up about her personal struggle to Laich, citing an instance when her pain doubled over and she could not hide it from him.
Nowadays, the Dancing With The Stars actress said he is letting her spouse help her ease the pain that comes with endometriosis by rubbing her back and not freaking out.
Hough spoke to women suffering from endometriosis to open up and build a support system with their family and friends. She emphasized that a disease like endometriosis should not be a basis to define women.
"In fact, I own it now and I am so glad that I have a voice to be able to help people with it," the Footloose actress said.
SpeakENDO Campaign
Hough also pointed out the common misconceptions people have of women with endometriosis such as infertility and conception difficulties. As with her case, Hough said that discovering her condition 10 years ago allowed her to prepare in advance.
Hough mentioned that she asked her doctor about pregnancy concerns, and she encouraged women suffering from the same condition to explore other options to conceive.
AbbVie, a pharmaceutical company, tapped Hough to become the ambassador for women with endometriosis. The campaign called SpeakENDO aims to empower women to learn about endometriosis, its symptoms, and treatment.
"I have endometriosis and for the past year, I've been speaking out to encourage women to 'get in the know' about endometriosis and raise awareness of this chronic and painful disease," Hough said in a press release by AbbVie.
