What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a gynecological disease where the endometrial tissue that normally grows in your uterus grows outside it. This tissue can grow on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, or even your bladder.
Endometriosis can start as early as a girl’s first period, and menopause doesn’t often resolve all the symptoms of endometriosis.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Some women suffering from endometriosis have no symptoms at all, but many complain of extreme pain often associated with their period.
However, the severity of your pain doesn’t always correlate with the extent of endometriosis. Some women with mild endometriosis have intense pain while others with advanced endometriosis may have little or no pain.
Common symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Long-term lower-back and pelvic pain
- Periods lasting longer than seven days
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bowel and urinary problems, including pain, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating
- Bloody stool or urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Pain during sex
- Spotting or bleeding between periods
What are the risk factors for endometriosis?
Although anyone can get endometriosis, some of the risk factors associated with this condition include:
- Age: Women between 30-40 years old are more susceptible
- Nulliparity: You’ve never given birth
- Genetics: One or more of your relatives suffer from this condition
- Medical history: If you have a pelvic infection, uterine abnormalities, or a condition that prevents your menstrual blood from leaving your body
- Menstrual history: If your periods last more than seven days or your menstrual cycles are less than 27 days
- Caffeine, alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise: These can raise levels of estrogen, which worsen your symptoms
How can you treat endometriosis?
There’s currently no cure for endometriosis, however, with the right guidance, you can manage your symptoms. If your symptoms are too severe, you may need surgery, but Dr. Diesfeld recommends trying other treatment options first.
Other options include pain medications, hormone therapies, and potentially fertility treatments.
Most women are able to relieve the pain of symptoms and can still have children. Pregnancy can actually temporarily relieve your symptoms.
If you think you might be suffering from endometriosis, call Women’s Health Partnership Medical Group or schedule an appointment online.
