From Pain to Purpose: How Erica Loring Turned Her Endometriosis Journey into the Empowering Shecanter Brand
Erica's Endometriosis Struggle and the Path to Diagnosis
For Erica Loring, the journey to managing her chronic reproductive health issues has been a long and arduous one. From a young age, she experienced debilitating menstrual symptoms that went far beyond the "normal" period pain many women endure. "I had really terrible endometriosis and I didn't know that obviously from the very jump of periods," Erica shares. "I suffered with all the things. I've had fibroids, I've had cysts, I have polyps, I've had endometriosis, I've had extreme bleeding."
Erica's periods were so severe that she would often lose consciousness, throw up repeatedly, and even pass out at school. "I pretty much had a full-time pass from my high school nurse to just leave whenever because she witnessed one," Erica recalls. "I collapsed in her office and threw up. So, that is not okay. Anyone out there listening right now and has this, find a doctor that will listen to you because you should not be experiencing this."
Despite the debilitating nature of her symptoms, it took over a decade for Erica to finally receive a proper diagnosis. "It took multiple doctors to listen to me and not tell me that it was normal or to take ibuprofen or that, you know, just birth control might solve it," she says. "It was really challenging. It was really disheartening."
Erica's story of medical dismissal and struggle to be heard is all too common for those dealing with endometriosis and other reproductive health conditions. As Dr. Lora Shahine notes, "Being your biggest advocate is sometimes really hard. But it's so important because you know your body and I think you have a good idea of what's normal and not what's normal."
The Power of Humor and Representation in Women's Health
After years of suffering and frustration, Erica found an unexpected outlet for her experiences - humor and design. At a white elephant party with her gay male friends, Erica brought a novelty "dick decanter" as a gag gift. While the decanter itself was not functional, it was a hit with the group. This sparked an idea in Erica's mind: "Women just don't have fun novelty items like that's available for us to like laugh at or celebrate or whatever it is that or why that you might use a novelty fun product, right? And we just don't have that. Our bodies have always been taboo."
Erica decided to take matters into her own hands, quite literally. Drawing on the unique shape of the uterus, she set out to create a functional, yet playful wine decanter that would celebrate the female form. Thus, the Shecanter was born - a stunning, hand-blown glass decanter in the shape of an upside-down uterus, complete with ovaries.
But Erica's vision went beyond just a novelty item. As she explains, "I really wanted the ovaries to be functional. I really wanted not just to go sit at the bottom and then it really is stunning." The Shecanter became a powerful symbol, representing the beauty and complexity of the female reproductive system in a way that was both humorous and empowering.
Erica's products, which now include mugs, coasters, jewelry, and more, tap into a deep need for representation and normalization of women's health. As Dr. Shahine notes, "So much of women's health has been surrounded in shame. Like we're not supposed to talk about our periods. We're not supposed to, you know, like in the 60s it was like you weren't supposed to show that you were even pregnant, you know, like um you're not, you know, it's shame if you have a miscarriage or you've got infertility, all of that. And just having this decanter or like drinking out of this mug, even just like the mug at the office, like you know, you it could start a conversation with somebody just about something that we're all dealing with. And it's so it's like humor and it's light-hearted and it's these little gifts, but it's so much more powerful than that."
Turning Pain into Purpose: Shecanter's Advocacy and Fundraising Efforts
Erica's personal journey with endometriosis and other reproductive health challenges has not only fueled her creative vision but also her passion for advocacy and change. Through the Shecanter brand, she is actively working to raise awareness, support research, and empower women to be their own best advocates.
"I'm really passionate about not only women's healthcare but also affordable healthcare and resources for that," Erica shares. To that end, she donates 10% of Shecanter's proceeds to organizations like the Endometriosis Association, PCOS Challenge, and Planned Parenthood - all of which play a crucial role in supporting women's reproductive health.
Endometriosis Association - Dedicated to providing education, support, and research funding for those affected by endometriosis.
PCOS Challenge - A non-profit organization focused on raising awareness, providing resources, and funding research for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
Planned Parenthood - A leading provider of reproductive healthcare services, education, and advocacy in the United States.
Erica's commitment to these causes is deeply personal. "I came from, you know, not a lot of money and at one point I very much depended on Planned Parenthood for my pap smears, for my yearlies, for getting birth control because that was the only way I knew how to manage symptoms of endometriosis sometimes. And so massive supporter of Planned Parenthood."
Beyond financial support, Erica's products themselves have become powerful tools for advocacy and awareness. When Shecanter items are used or displayed, they spark conversations and help normalize discussions around women's reproductive health. As Dr. Shahine notes, "just having this decanter or like drinking out of this mug, even just like the mug at the office, like you know, you it could start a conversation with somebody just about something that we're all dealing with."
Erica's mission extends even further, as she works to address the systemic inequities in women's healthcare funding and research. "As we know in this day and age with this administration, we're losing funds. So, women already started off so late in research and getting funding for a research and not only just the funding, but people who are actually interested in doing the research," she explains.
Indeed, the statistics are staggering. Erica points out that "men's pattern baldness is researched way more than endometriosis and the funds for women's reproductive healthcare is like less than 1% and it's really crazy because women with endometriosis are 10% more than 10% because I think it's underdiagnosed right absolutely and so then women with PCOS is also about 10% as well also underdiagnosed and so we have 20% of women experiencing these things and yet we have 1% or less of funding."
By using her platform and products to raise awareness and drive change, Erica is turning her personal pain into powerful purpose. As Dr. Shahine's resources emphasize, advocating for oneself and seeking out supportive healthcare providers is crucial for those dealing with reproductive health challenges. Erica's story is a testament to the transformative power of resilience, creativity, and a relentless commitment to making a difference.
Shecanter and Beyond: Erica's Expanding Product Line and Vision
The Shecanter decanter may have been the initial spark that ignited Erica's entrepreneurial journey, but it's just the beginning of her creative vision. In addition to the stunning, hand-blown glass decanters, Erica has expanded the Shecanter product line to include a wide range of items that celebrate the female form and reproductive health.
From the adorable "cuterous" mugs with their dual handles representing the fallopian tubes, to the cheeky coasters featuring playful anatomical terminology, Erica's products are designed to be both functional and conversation-starters. "I really wanted the ovaries to be functional. I really wanted not just to go sit at the bottom and then it really is stunning," she explains of the Shecanter's design.
Erica's product line also includes:
Uterus-shaped wine bottle openers and beer bottle openers
Feminist-inspired napkins and other home goods
Subtle, yet powerful uterus-inspired jewelry pieces
As Erica's brand continues to grow, she remains committed to expanding the reach and impact of Shecanter. "I have a lot more coming out which I've been so blessed because everything has been received so well. I've been able to, you know, refinance into more investments of things because, you know, women I had no idea. I had some idea that, you know, having these products would would resonate with some people, but I did not know on this level."
With a waitlist of over 500 people eagerly awaiting the next Shecanter restock, it's clear that Erica's products have struck a chord with women (and allies) across the country. By seamlessly blending humor, representation, and advocacy, Erica is creating a movement that celebrates the beauty and power of the female experience.
Whether you're shopping for yourself, a loved one, or simply want to support Erica's mission, you can find Shecanter products on the brand's website, as well as on Etsy. And be sure to follow Erica and Shecanter on Instagram to stay up-to-date on new product launches and the latest news from this inspiring entrepreneur.
As Erica so eloquently puts it, "It's her body. She can whine if she wants to." With Shecanter, she's giving women everywhere the tools to do just that - to celebrate, to advocate, and to reclaim the narrative around their own reproductive health and experiences.
Additional Resources for Support
Dr. Shahine shares a wealth of additional resources to help those struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss. These include:
Dr. Shahine's free newsletter, which provides ongoing support and education
Her "Brave and Curious" podcast, which delves deeper into fertility-related topics
Her books on fertility and miscarriage, including the best-selling "Not Broken: An Approachable Guide to Miscarriage and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss"
Her active social media presence on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn
