March is Endometriosis awareness month, this is a condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside of the uterus. Essentially, the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it. It typically involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. This disease affects millions of women worldwide and is one of the most common pelvic disorders. While it is so common, it isn’t typically represented or taught about. I wanted to make it my mission to bring awareness to something that affects myself and millions of other women personally. Here are five things you should know about endometriosis.
It isn’t just period pain.
Endometriosis, commonly called endo, can affect any menstruating women from her first period to menopause. The most common symptom is the pain, mostly in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area. The severity of pain can vary from woman to woman. Some women have no pain, while some have severe pain. Along with pain comes other symptoms like painful menstrual cramps, pain during sex, stomach pain, nausea, painful bowel movements or urination, and even infertility.
Endo can lead to more problems.
Women with endo are much more likely to develop other conditions along with the first diagnosis of endometriosis. Compared to the general population, women with endo are 100 times as likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome. They are also more likely to have fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, eczema, and other autoimmune inflammatory diseases.
It isn’t easy to diagnose.
On average, it takes a woman seven and a half years to get diagnosed with endometriosis. Currently, doctors use ultrasounds and MRIs to diagnose, but the only way to get a proper diagnosis is through laparoscopic surgery and biopsy of the tissue. Endo can also lead to ovarian cysts so a doctor may use imaging to look for cysts and other scarring.
There is no cure for endo.
There is not a cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments. A lot of times, doctors will prescribe the use of pain medication if the pain or other symptoms are mild. Hormone therapy is also used if your endo area is small or if you have minimal pain. These hormones typically come in the form of birth control. However, too much estrogen can aggravate the endo tissue so it can be a long process to find the right pill for your symptoms. The most effective choice is endo is extensive or the pain is severe is to get surgery. During surgery, a doctor will laparoscopically remove (excision) or burn (ablation) the endo tissue off your organs. While surgery is not a cure, it can bring back the quality of life in many patients.
Endo is Very Common
In the United States alone, an estimated one out of ten women suffer from endometriosis. It is also considered one of the top three causes of infertility in the US. If you have painful periods and pelvic pain, see your doctor and let them know if you think something is wrong. There are many endometriosis support organizations around the world who are there to help you. For more information go to speakendo.com.
To any endo warriors out there, I wish you the best of luck on your journey to regain your body and your life. Stay strong and get better.
All images courtesy of Unsplash.com