American actress, singer, and model, the iconic Marilyn Monroe seemed to have it all at the height of her career. However, 'Blonde', one of the films nominated for an Oscar, revealed that not everything was happiness in the life of the world's most famous symbol due to the condition that "took away" the desire to become her mother.
Blonde, the film directed by Andrew Dominik and starring actress Ana de Armas, is nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category. It is one of the most anticipated productions in recent years about the life of Marilyn Monroe, which is based on the biographical book by author Joyce Carol Oates.
Although the film caused a stir through social networks, as it is a story based on a fictional book, it is known that Marilyn Monroe did suffer from endometriosis and it was probably one of the reasons why she could not fulfill her dream of giving life.
In fact, in 2010, some X-rays of Monroe taken at the Cedars of Lebanon hospital in Florida in 1954, after being admitted to the hospital to undergo surgery for endometriosis, were auctioned for 36,600 euros. However, until 1960 the treatment was the removal of the ovaries, which is why Marilyn refused said surgery because she wanted to be a mother.
What is endometriosis?
This is a condition in which tissue similar to that lining the endometrium grows outside the uterus, affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and tissue lining the pelvis. According to information from specialists at the Cleveland Clinic Medical Institute, endometriosis occurs more frequently in women of reproductive age, mainly between 25 and 40 years of age.
The endometrial tissue of women of reproductive age thickens, breaks down, and causes bleeding with each menstrual cycle. However, when there is a problem of endometriosis, this tissue has no way out of the body but remains trapped inside the body until it affects the reproductive system.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Being sensitive to hormones, it tends to become inflamed during the menstrual cycle, therefore, intense pain in the abdominal area, pelvis, and back is usually one of the main warning symptoms, but also painful menstrual cramps, pain, heavy bleeding during menstrual periods, as well as infertility.
In the case of Marilyn Monroe, one of the most outstanding icons in pop culture, it is known that she suffered from grade 4 endometriosis, that is, severe. In these cases, the endometrial tissue plaques are multiple, they usually form various deep and invasive nodules, so the reproductive capacity of the woman is usually limited.
Why couldn't Marilyn Monroe have children?
Although she did not have such difficulty getting pregnant, she, unfortunately, suffered several spontaneous losses between 1956 and 1958, as well as an ectopic pregnancy in 1958, which is why she was unable to fulfill her dream of becoming a mother.
Although Marilyn has lived with this gynecological disease since her teens, it is said that the excruciating agony caused by the pain led her to need strong painkillers to lessen the symptoms of this condition that affects around 190 million women worldwide.
