Katya Karlova ’08 has written a book, “Invisible Pain, Unstoppable Power,” and companion journal detailing her decades-long struggle with chronic pain and the difficulty she had to even get a correct diagnosis.

“I definitely never planned on writing a book but if it helps any other women and their loved ones while going through what I did, it will have been worth it,” Karlova said.

“I just really wish I knew about endometriosis when I was in college (I didn’t even know what it was until my own diagnosis!) and caught the disease in its early stages. I was truly shocked when I learned just how common this chronic illness is — academic papers are calling it a silent epidemic and the women’s health crisis of our time because 30% of women is a conservative estimate and societal stigma that still exists when discussing reproductive health. On top of that, it’s one of the most painful conditions to suffer from (an endo flare up is on the pain scale of a heart attack). I still can’t believe there is no cure, few effective treatment options and insurance also doesn’t cover most surgical options.

“There are hardly any books about endo and helping women overcome this – even though 200 million women have it, likely more. I also founded a non-profit called The Endo-Visible Foundation that’s focused on raising awareness, especially among younger women, so the disease doesn’t have time to progress in their bodies like it did in mine. And finally, I’m finishing up a documentary with my story along with several leading doctors in the field.”

Karlova’s mission is to help others who are dealing with the same debilitating physical pain that she has long endured.

“If I can help just one woman not go through the pain and suffering I did, it will be worth it and early intervention is key. I remember having many friends at UCLA who also suffered from the same symptoms; extremely painful periods, severe nausea, gastric distress and others so much so that they would miss class like I sometimes had to. Sadly, 20 years ago the medical community was even more unprepared and uneducated about endo so we were told this was normal — and likely just PMDD or anxiety — and prescribed birth control and referred to a psychologist/psychiatrist, which obviously didn’t help.

“I hope to end the stigma surrounding women’s reproductive health and also empower women to advocate for themselves until they get answers.”

Karlova, who earned her bachelor’s degree in global studies, was named UCLA Young Alum of the Year in 2019. A leader in global talent acquisition, executive recruitment and leadership development, at that time she was serving as a Global Associate Director for PRO Unlimited, where she led an international team supporting Intuit’s contingent workforce program. She subsequently was head of talent acquisition at Golden Hippo in Los Angeles.

Read more of Karlova’s story here.