How a nutrition-first approach helped Naya feel more like herself.

Naya was 15 when the pain started, and it took over a decade to get real answers. Doctors suspected endometriosis early on but told her to just manage it with birth control. By 18, she'd developed GI issues too. Then came years of trial and error — treatments, diets, foods cut out of fear — with no one looking at the full picture.

In April 2026, an endometriosis specialist finally confirmed what she'd known all along. That's when Naya found Allara, and a dietitian who helped her make peace with food instead of fearing it. Here's her story, in her own words.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Naya, and I was born and raised in Miami, Florida! With Venezuelan, Spanish, and Hungarian roots, I love traveling and exploring the art, food, and traditions that have shaped who I am. I’m a self-proclaimed foodie and laid-back art connoisseur who loves all things fashion, art, music, and jewelry. In fact, my fondest memories usually involve a beautiful view and a delicious meal. When I’m home, you can find me reading a romantasy book, doing Pilates, snacking on something healthy, or enjoying an iced coffee or Diet Coke. While I love to eat, explore, and experience everything life has to offer, living with Endometriosis has also taught me to value a softer, gentler lifestyle, listen to my body, and be kind to myself. This has inspired my passion for advocating for others, too.

What is your Endometriosis journey, and when were you diagnosed?

I’m now 26, but my Endometriosis journey began at 15, when I started experiencing extremely painful periods and unexplained symptoms that I couldn’t make sense of. By 18, I was also dealing with persistent GI issues, and over the next decade, I tried countless birth control methods, diets, and medical tests in search of answers. My gynecologist suspected Endometriosis from my very first visit in 2015, but because of my age, I was told to manage it with birth control and consider surgery later in life. In April 2026, after finally seeing an Endometriosis specialist, I felt truly validated when he confirmed that my symptoms were textbook for Endometriosis, and an MRI even showed lesions on my uterus. While hormonal birth control helped by stopping my periods, it also caused significant GI issues, leaving me searching for a treatment that could actually help me feel like myself again.

Why did you decide to sign up for Allara?

I decided to sign up for Allara because, despite doing everything my doctors recommended and trying all the advice I found from other women online, I still didn’t feel like myself. I had started developing what felt like intolerances to foods I loved, like gluten and dairy, and I was becoming increasingly restrictive with what I ate just to avoid feeling sick. When I saw an Instagram ad for Allara offering dedicated care for women with Endometriosis and PCOS, it felt like a sign. I wanted the opportunity to better understand my body, learn how food could support my symptoms without constantly cutting things out, and ultimately feel like I could eat and live normally again. I had nothing to lose and so much to gain, so I decided to give it a shot!

How has your experience been with Allara?

My experience with Allara has been incredibly positive. After my first visit, I was offered the opportunity to work with one of Allara’s registered dietitians, and I loved that I could choose someone based on their biography and specialties. I’ve been working with the same RD since April of 2026 and I already felt worlds in June. It has been refreshing to work with someone who doesn’t judge me or try to completely change my lifestyle, but instead teaches me small, meaningful habits that work with my life and my body. I’ve also learned that I don’t need to be afraid of food or constantly restrict what I eat to feel good. Over the past few months, I’ve developed a much healthier relationship with food, reintroduced foods I had cut out years ago, and learned how to better care for my body and work with it rather than against it.

What has been the most instrumental part of the care for you?

The dietitian has definitely been the most instrumental part of my care. While I’ve only personally taken advantage of Allara’s nutrition services so far, working with my dietitian has made the biggest difference in how I understand and care for my body. She’s helped me move away from the mindset of constantly restricting foods or trying to “fix” my symptoms and instead taught me how to nourish my body, understand what it needs, and make sustainable changes that actually fit into my life. Having someone who understands the connection between nutrition, gut health, and Endometriosis has been incredibly valuable, and I’ve seen such a positive change in both my relationship with food and how confident I feel taking care of myself.

Is there any advice you’d give someone struggling with Endometriosis?

Don’t give up on yourself, and don’t be afraid to keep looking for answers. Living with Endometriosis can feel incredibly isolating and frustrating, especially when you feel like you’ve tried everything, but there are resources and people out there who can help. Advocate for yourself, ask questions, and find a care team that truly listens to you. Most importantly, be patient and kind with yourself. Your body isn’t working against you, and you deserve to understand it and find ways to support it.

‍Is there anything else you want to share about your experience with Allara?

I’m so grateful I found Allara when I did. It gave me the support, education, and reassurance I needed to better understand my body and feel like myself again. I’m so glad my insurance is accepted so I do not have to pay anything out of pocket, and I can join my sessions from the comfort of my own home. The app is also very easy to use and has great perks like recipes/blogs with useful information that is easy to read and easy to go back and reference.

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