‘Wild with rage': It took Jacinta Allan more than a decade to learn the source of her pain
Since she was an adolescent, Jacinta Allan has lived with a pain that some – including one high-profile radio host – claim to be 'made up', but which for many women is life-altering.
Each month, she had periods and pelvic pain so heavy that she couldn't participate in favourite activities, like sports, and was confused by her suffering.
'Ever since I was a teenager getting my first periods, I always had the experience well known to women who have lived with this: the heavy periods, the long ones, the pain you kind of just put up with,' says the Victorian premier, who is now 51.
Like many other women with what was eventually diagnosed as endometriosis, it took more than a decade for her disease to be identified. Even then, it was by chance, after Allan poured her heart out to a friend at a wedding about her unexplained infertility.
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'She started to grill me about my period experience and said, 'Why haven't you been checked out for endometriosis?' She had that experience as well,' says Allan.
Being validated by doctors was relief 'that my pain was real, and I did deserve help'.
'Thinking back to … what I'd missed out on, day-to-day things I couldn't do, it was overwhelming to know that my pain was real and that help was on the way.'
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Wild with rage': It took Jacinta Allan more than a decade to learn the source of her pain
Since she was an adolescent, Jacinta Allan has lived with a pain that some – including one high-profile radio host – claim to be 'made up', but which for many women is life-altering. Each month, she had periods and pelvic pain so heavy that she couldn't participate in favourite activities, like sports, and was confused by her suffering. 'Ever since I was a teenager getting my first periods, I always had the experience well known to women who have lived with this: the heavy periods, the long ones, the pain you kind of just put up with,' says the Victorian premier, who is now 51. Like many other women with what was eventually diagnosed as endometriosis, it took more than a decade for her disease to be identified. Even then, it was by chance, after Allan poured her heart out to a friend at a wedding about her unexplained infertility. Loading 'She started to grill me about my period experience and said, 'Why haven't you been checked out for endometriosis?' She had that experience as well,' says Allan. Being validated by doctors was relief 'that my pain was real, and I did deserve help'. 'Thinking back to … what I'd missed out on, day-to-day things I couldn't do, it was overwhelming to know that my pain was real and that help was on the way.'
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
‘Wild with rage': It took Jacinta Allan more than a decade to learn the source of her pain
Since she was an adolescent, Jacinta Allan has lived with a pain that some – including one high-profile radio host – claim to be 'made up', but which for many women is life-altering. Each month, she had periods and pelvic pain so heavy that she couldn't participate in favourite activities, like sports, and was confused by her suffering. 'Ever since I was a teenager getting my first periods, I always had the experience well known to women who have lived with this: the heavy periods, the long ones, the pain you kind of just put up with,' says the Victorian premier, who is now 51. Like many other women with what was eventually diagnosed as endometriosis, it took more than a decade for her disease to be identified. Even then, it was by chance, after Allan poured her heart out to a friend at a wedding about her unexplained infertility. Loading 'She started to grill me about my period experience and said, 'Why haven't you been checked out for endometriosis?' She had that experience as well,' says Allan. Being validated by doctors was relief 'that my pain was real, and I did deserve help'. 'Thinking back to … what I'd missed out on, day-to-day things I couldn't do, it was overwhelming to know that my pain was real and that help was on the way.'
SBS Australia
6 days ago
- SBS Australia
Bonus Practice: #87 Managing screen time (Med)
Speaking out loud will help to improve your English speaking fluency and will make it easier for you to remember new vocabulary. This bonus episode provides interactive speaking practice for the words and phrases you learnt in Episode #87 Managing screen time (Med). Allan: My kids are driving me crazy. They're glued to their phones all the time. Maybe I need to pull the plug on socials for a while. Claire: I get it. Same here. I had to limit screen time for my kids too. Allan: Yeah, I think it's time we set some boundaries. I feel like we're losing them to a screen. Claire: And it's not just the time they spend on-line—there's so much inappropriate stuff out there. It's scary. Cyberbullying is real. I don't know if I need to monitor everything they do. Allan: I know. And it's hard to keep track of it all. I'm thinking no social media during the week, and only an hour on weekends. Learn the meanings of the phrases used in this dialogue: SBS English 27/05/2025 12:57 Credit: Paul Nicholson and Lily O'Sullivan voiced the characters of Allan and Claire and Professor Lynda Yates was our educational consultant.
