After suffering from debilitating pain her entire life, Tara DeMerchant from Ontario feels grateful that she finally got answers, but she is angry that it took nearly 30 years to get help.

The 44-year-old woman from Bala, Ontario, located an hour north of Barrie, was diagnosed with endometriosis.

DeMerchant says she has suffered from pain since she was fourteen and treated herself with marijuana to cope with the pain which worsened over time.

For many years, DeMerchant explained that doctors dismissed her pain as just a period, even though it lasts throughout the month in some cases.

DeMerchant recalls the pain became daily about nine years ago, and I couldn’t get any help, treatment was denied at least twice, a doctor put his finger in my face and told me I was doing this to myself and no doctor would help me, and that was the only thing he was right about
because no doctor helped me after that."
She explained that in some cases, doctors tried to blame her cannabis use for her symptoms.
She said at least four doctors told me that since marijuana legalization, they have seen a significant increase in this type of disease, and I tried to tell them it has nothing to do with me."

The Endometriosis Network of Canada states that the average delay in diagnosing endometriosis in Canada is five and a half years, but it can be up to 20 years in some cases.

In DeMerchant’s case, she says it took nearly 30 years.

DeMerchant says she has suffered from pain since she was fourteen and treated herself with marijuana to cope with the pain which worsened over time and for many years, DeMerchant explained that doctors dismissed her pain as just a period, even though it lasts throughout the month in some cases.

DeMerchant recalls the pain became daily about nine years ago, and I couldn’t get any help, treatment was denied at least twice, a doctor put his finger in my face and told me I was doing this to myself and no doctor would help me, and that was the only thing he was right about
because no doctor helped me after that."

She said at least four doctors told me that since marijuana legalization, they have seen a significant increase in this type of disease, and I tried to tell them it has nothing to do with me."

The Endometriosis Network of Canada states that the average delay in diagnosing endometriosis in Canada is five and a half years, but it can be up to 20 years in some cases, and in DeMerchant’s case,
she says it took nearly 30 years and this condition can cause those affected to suffer from chronic pain and internal scarring, as well as infertility and other medical complications.

DeMerchant confirmed that she started pushing for answers and saw many doctors before one in Bracebridge took her concerns seriously about a year ago.

She says the doctor wrote a letter stating the need to check for endometriosis as a possible cause of her pain by a specialist, then she went on to the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie, where she says she managed to see a gynecologist in late 2023 and then an endometriosis specialist.

DeMerchant recently received the official diagnosis but says it is considered advanced due to the long wait.

While still waiting for a treatment plan in Barrie, she says that due to the long wait, she faces the possibility of hysterectomy, surgical procedures, and biopsy treatments of the condition.

The Endometriosis Network estimates that in their lifetime, nearly one in ten girls and women will develop endometriosis, and the average person will see between five and seven doctors before being diagnosed with endometriosis, and DeMerchant hopes that speaking publicly will raise more awareness.

She said at least four doctors told me that since marijuana legalization, they have seen a significant increase in this type of disease, and I tried to tell them it has nothing to do with me."

DeMerchant recently received the official diagnosis but says it is considered advanced due to the long

wait.

While still waiting for a treatment plan in Barrie, she says that due to the long wait, she faces the possibility of hysterectomy, surgical procedures, and biopsy treatments

of the condition.

The Endometriosis Network estimates that in their lifetime, nearly one in ten girls and women will develop endometriosis.

The average person will see between five and seven doctors before being diagnosed with endometriosis, and DeMerchant hopes that speaking publicly will raise more awareness.

The Endometriosis Network estimates that in their lifetime, nearly one in ten girls and women will develop endometriosis.

The average person will see between five and seven doctors before being diagnosed with endometriosis, and DeMerchant hopes that speaking publicly will raise more awareness.