Comedian and actress Amy Schumer recently went public about her battle with endometriosis. The 40-year-old star posted selfies and video from her time in the hospital, where she had her uterus and appendix removed due to the damage the condition had caused to her body. Painful periods, extreme cramping, heavy bleeding, and other issues can all be signs of endometriosis. It is a condition that many women suffer from and unfortunately, it is often misdiagnosed by doctors. Schumer is helping to advocate for women everywhere.

There are more than 200 million women around the world, who are dealing with the pain and health complications that endometriosis causes. In Schumer’s case, her doctors found more than 30 spots of endometriosis, which is caused by uterine tissue growing outside the uterus, where it doesn’t belong. Her appendix was removed because of the way the tissue had attacked it. While some women grieve the loss of childbearing after the removal of their uterus, Schumer didn’t have plans to conceive again.

She has a two-year-old son named Gene, and the IVF treatments and pregnancy were very hard on her body. She had already made the decision that she didn’t want to be pregnant again. With that decision, plus the pain of the endometriosis, Schumer determined with her doctors that having her uterus removed was the best choice. While performing the surgery, doctors also decided that removal of the appendix was the right option for Schumer to have the best possible recovery and future.

Schumer has considered working with a surrogate to have another child, but for now she’s going to hold off adding to her family. Healing up, being healthy, and spending time with her family are the focal points of her immediate future, now that she’ll have a lot less pain to deal with.

The Surrogacy Law Center works with all individuals and couples, helping protect their legal rights as they navigate the world of surrogacy and assisted reproductive methods. Contact us today to learn more!