Tia Mowry Opens Up About Endometriosis and Infertility

Actress Tia Mowry, known for roles in "Sister, Sister" and "The Game," and currently starring in Netflix's "Family Reunion," is opening up about her struggles to get pregnant. In an interview with Romper, Mowry talks about her endometriosis diagnosis, her rocky road to motherhood, and her partnership with baby-care company Coterie for a new book, "Not Another Parenting Guide," which highlights personal stories of the journey to parenthood.

For Mowry, sharing her experience is an important part of facilitating a larger conversation on fertility issues and removing the shame and stigma associated with infertility.

"Being authentic and open about pregnancy is so important to me! I'd love to see more people share their stories," Mowry said in the interview. "Being pregnant and having children is not black and white...There is so much to it, and I would really love to see more platforms expand on this."

Now mom to 3-year-old Cario and 10-year-old Cree, Mowry's path to motherhood was not easy. While fertility issues can stem from many causes, hers were the result of her painful experience with endometriosis.

For years, Mowry had suffered from extremely painful periods, but it wasn't until early in her marriage to actor Cory Hardrict that she was diagnosed with the condition.

"I was diagnosed with something called endometriosis, which is a highly inflammatory condition that can cause infertility…My whole world was turned upside down with the diagnosis," she told Romper.

When two surgeries didn't ease her pain or fertility problems, Mowry decided to take charge of her health by making major lifestyle changes. The twin completely cut out inflammatory foods, such as dairy and processed foods, and turned instead to high-quality proteins, vegetables and fruits.

"Changing my diet completely changed my life," Mowry said.

Mowry acknowledged that dietary changes aren't the answer for everyone's situation or experience with endometriosis, but they were the key to solving her fertility issues.

"The journey went from frustrating to challenging to rewarding and the pain finally subsided…I believe I was able to suppress my symptoms by allowing them to stay dormant," she told Romper.

About 10 percent of women ages 15 to 44 in the United States—that's 6.1 million—have difficulty getting pregnant. Mowry hopes her transparency will be a helpful step in overcoming the stigma of infertility and encourage other women to share their stories.

Mowry said, "If my story even reaches one woman and helps her feel supported in her journey to not feel alone, then I will feel that I have succeeded."