Scarlet founder Jo Barry: Things I Wish I Knew When I Was First Diagnosed with Endo & Adeno

At ENdi, we’re passionate about partnering with brands that truly understand and support our community. That’s why we’re so pleased to be collaborating with incredible companies like Scarlet, whose products are designed with real lived experience in mind. You can now discover and shop them directly through the ENdi app.

We sat down with the founder of rae to talk about her journey with endometriosis and adenomyosis, and how her own lived experience inspired her to create a product that’s already helping so many.

What was it like finally getting your diagnosis?

Let’s be real, if you’ve just been diagnosed with endo or adeno, it probably comes after years of confusion, pain, and being told it’s “just bad period cramps.” Maybe you’ve been called sensitive. Or told it’s normal. It’s not. And you’re not overreacting; you’re brave for listening to your body and pushing for answers.

When I was first diagnosed, I didn’t know anyone who had endo, let alone someone who talked openly about it. I had no roadmap. Just a string of doctor visits, a whole lot of conflicting advice, and a body that felt like it was constantly fighting me.

How did you feel navigating doctors and advice at that time?

Truthfully? Doctors can be intimidating. Especially when you’re young (I was a teenager), unsure of what’s normal, and just trying to make sense of it all. You end up nodding along, taking everything as gospel, because they’re the expert, right?

You’ve been through so many treatments and surgeries, how has that shaped your journey?

I’ve lived through stage 4 endo, adenomyosis, three rounds of chemically induced menopause, seven surgeries (including a hysterectomy), and the kind of chronic pain that quietly steals your work, your social life, and your spark. But it also gave me something: an understanding of my body, a deep respect for what women endure, and a fire to do something about it.

What inspired you to create rae?

I created rae, a wearable heat pad - because nothing out there truly worked for me (and I was done being that girl at brunch with a hot water bottle under her jumper).  

What are your top five learnings?

1. It’s Not All in Your Head

Endo and adeno are real. They’re serious. And they can be completely life-altering. One of the hardest parts? The gaslighting - from the system and sometimes even from people close to you.

But here’s your reminder: you know your body. You’re not imagining it. You don’t need to justify every symptom or prove your pain to be worthy of help. Chronic pain is valid. Fatigue is valid. Needing rest is valid. Get loud. Get answers. And don’t let anyone’s opinion make you feel small.

2. Build a Bloody Good Toolkit

You can’t fix endo with a face mask and a cup of tea (though both are excellent during a flare). What can help? A solid toolkit - things that support you, ground you, and help you function on your own terms. Here’s what’s in mine:

·       Heat. Always, always heat. My number one go-to for cramps, flare-ups, and general comfort. That’s why I created rae, a wearable, rechargeable, not-ugly heat pad that hugs your lower belly and actually lets you move around. She has three heat settings and fits under your clothes, so you’re always not stuck on the couch or under a blanket.

• Magnesium. Spray it on your belly, soak in it, or take it orally. It helps with muscle tension and gives you a fighting chance during a flare-up.

• Pelvic physio. A total game-changer. Find one who gets endo/adeno. They’re unicorns, but worth tracking down. They teach you how to relax and retrain your pelvic floor, spot your own tension patterns, and how to work with your body instead of against it.

• Warm baths. Classic. Simple. Still one of the best things I do for myself. Add some magnesium-packed bubbles and a good podcast and switch off.

• Community. Whether it’s Facebook groups, Reddit, or your close circle, find people who get it. I didn’t realise how much I needed that until someone said, “I thought I was going mad, too.”

• Talking. Sounds basic, but we’ve been taught to stay quiet about this stuff. Speak up. Share your experience. The more we say, the more we shift the narrative.

3. Surgery Isn’t a Quick Fix, but It Might Be Part of your Journey

People often ask me if surgery helped. The short answer? Yes... eventually. But it’s never as simple as “have the op, feel better.” I had seven laparoscopies, one laparotomy, and three rounds of Zoladex before I made the hardest decision of all, a hysterectomy.

It was devastating. I fought it for years. I tried everything to preserve my fertility and manage the pain. But the endo was severe, my adeno was debilitating, and I was exhausted - physically, emotionally, completely.

It’s important to say that a hysterectomy isn’t a cure for endo. And yep, endo can still come back. But for me, it was the only path to a semi-normal life. It wasn’t a magic wand, but it gave me space to breathe again. And at the end of the day, your journey is personal. No one path suits all. But do what feels right in your bones.

4. You’ll Learn a Whole New Language - And That’s a Good Thing

Get ready to become fluent in things like “flare,” “laparoscopy,” “progesterone resistance,” and “pelvic floor tension.” Don’t be intimidated. Get curious. Learn. Ask questions. Keep a symptom log. Say no when something feels off. And if a doctor brushes you off? Get a new one. You are the CEO of your body now.

You’ll also learn your own language - what triggers you, what soothes you, what your body needs before it even says it out loud. That kind of self-knowledge? It’s powerful.

5. Self-Care Isn’t Fluffy - It’s Necessary

When you live with chronic pain, self-care isn’t a luxury, it’s survival. Sure, it’s the basics: rest, hydration, decent food. But also, joy. Boundaries. Comfort. Saying no without guilt. Sometimes self-care looks like soft cotton undies that don’t cut into your bloated belly. Sometimes, it’s packing rae for a night out, so you don’t have to ghost by 9 pm. Sometimes, it’s muting someone on Instagram who makes you feel like you’re not “healing fast enough.” Whatever it is - no apologies.

You’re not alone. It will be hard. But you will get stronger, and not in a Pinterest-quote way, but in the gritty, “I got through another flare and still showed up” way. Your pain is valid. Your comfort matters. And your story, just like mine, might someday help someone else. 

Jo Barry is the founder of rae, a wearable period heat device. With three heat settings and 5+ hours of power, it’s USB-rechargeable, super slimline, and fits into our custom period undies pouch.  Through rae and her brand, Scarlet Period, she aims to provide practical relief, spark change in the medical community and foster a greater understanding of women’s health issues.

At ENdi, we know the power of sharing stories like this, stories that show the grit, resilience, and creativity of people living with endometriosis and adenomyosis. We’re proud to be working with brands like Scarlet, who are turning lived experience into real solutions.

You can find discounts to Scarlet and other supportive products directly in ENdi app - tools designed to help you build your own “bloody good toolkit” and feel less alone on your journey.