This normalization of suffering can pave the way for unhealthy expectations, both externally and internally. Feeling pressure to prove resilience by refusing pain relief can blur the lines between actual toughness and silent endurance of symptoms that may signal medical issues.
Jo Barry, founder of the sustainable period self-care brand Scarlet, experienced severe pelvic pain due to stage 4 endometriosis and adenomyosis—conditions commonly missed or dismissed as routine period pain. After years of enduring symptoms, multiple surgical interventions, and eventually a hysterectomy, Barry became an advocate for reframing conversations about menstrual pain.
The Myth of “Strength” Through Suffering
A critical message from Barry and health professionals is that enduring pain without support does not confer additional strength, health, or worthiness. While choosing not to take pain relief is a personal decision, turning untreated pain into a competition—online or otherwise—can be damaging.
There is no hidden health benefit to ‘toughing out’ all symptoms. Medication, heating pads, gentle movement, and rest are all tools that serve to make symptoms manageable, not to signal weakness. Conversely, shying away from symptom relief does not inherently signal strength or resilience.
