What is endometriosis?
I've seen a lot more articles on endometriosis in the last year, which is a positive step. When it comes to raising awareness of such a poorly understood condition, I figure the more, the merrier.
So what is it?
Endometriosis UK says:
"Endometriosis (pronounced en- doh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is the name given to the condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body.
Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
It is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition. Endometriosis can affect all women and girls of a childbearing age, regardless of race or ethnicity."
That's a pretty effective, brief scientific explanation. The page does go on to explain further, and Endometriosis UK has a lot of useful information and support for those with the condition, their friends and family. Check it out.
What are the symptoms?
The tricky thing about endometriosis is how vastly the symptoms differ from person to person. One person can have severe disease, yet not experience any symptoms, and another can have mild disease and be in daily agony. And vice versa. And everything in between.
Symptoms can include (but are not limited to):
Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
It is a chronic and debilitating condition that causes painful or heavy periods. It may also lead to infertility, fatigue and bowel and bladder problems. Around 1.5 million women in the UK are currently living with the condition. Endometriosis can affect all women and girls of a childbearing age, regardless of race or ethnicity."
That's a pretty effective, brief scientific explanation. The page does go on to explain further, and Endometriosis UK has a lot of useful information and support for those with the condition, their friends and family. Check it out.
What are the symptoms?
The tricky thing about endometriosis is how vastly the symptoms differ from person to person. One person can have severe disease, yet not experience any symptoms, and another can have mild disease and be in daily agony. And vice versa. And everything in between.
Symptoms can include (but are not limited to):
- Painful periods
- Heavy periods
- Painful ovulation
- Chronic pelvic pain
- IBS
- Bladder pain
- Fatigue
- Mental health problems like depression and anxiety
- Bloating (commonly known as endobelly)
Personally, I have suffered all of these in varying degrees over the past 20 years since I started my periods.
How Is it diagnosed?
The only definitive way to diagnose it is through laparoscopy surgery, where a camera is inserted into your abdomen through keyhole incisions. What is the treatment? Unfortunately there is no cure as yet. I can't help but wonder if that would be the case if this was a disease men suffered with, but I digress. It seems endometriosis is getting a lot more attention at a policy/research level so hopefully we'll get there one day. Management of the condition varies by what country/state/district/NHS trust you are in and even down to the specific doctor you see on the day. Mostly, it's a pick and mix from the following:
- Excision (cutting) or ablation (burning) of the endometriosis tissue during laparoscopy procedure
- Hormonal treatments such as the contraceptive pill or medications to put you into medical menopause.
- Pain medication (anti-inflammatories, analgesics, opiods)
- Lifestyle changes
- Alternative therapies
What should I do if I think I might have endometriosis?
Go to your GP. Ask for a referral to a gynaecologist. Try a different GP if they disagree with you. If you're in unexplained pain, go back, take a pushy family member with you.
My experience
I have had painful and heavy periods since they started at age 12, and at age 13 I was told it was normal and that I was just unlucky that mine were more painful than others'. I was put on the contraceptive pill, which masked my symptoms for many years.
I was eventually diagnosed in 2016 through laparoscopy surgery. I am very lucky that I have been able to have two children without medical intervention. My endometriosis pain, which was extreme in the months before diagnosis, improved by about 50% after surgery. During my second pregnancy it seemed to go into complete remission and this lasted until she was around 12 months. Bliss.
Now, here I am, endo pain and fatigue slowly but steadily increasing again. My associated bladder condition, which is a whole other blog post in itself, is flaring regularly. I have ups and downs. But I won't let them beat me. I am getting much better at looking after myself and asking for help, which is a big improvement for me.
Thank you for reading, I hope you have a better understanding of endometriosis and what it's like to live with.
Please like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram.
Resources:
Endometriosis UK
NHS page on Endometriosis
My experience
I have had painful and heavy periods since they started at age 12, and at age 13 I was told it was normal and that I was just unlucky that mine were more painful than others'. I was put on the contraceptive pill, which masked my symptoms for many years.
I was eventually diagnosed in 2016 through laparoscopy surgery. I am very lucky that I have been able to have two children without medical intervention. My endometriosis pain, which was extreme in the months before diagnosis, improved by about 50% after surgery. During my second pregnancy it seemed to go into complete remission and this lasted until she was around 12 months. Bliss.
Now, here I am, endo pain and fatigue slowly but steadily increasing again. My associated bladder condition, which is a whole other blog post in itself, is flaring regularly. I have ups and downs. But I won't let them beat me. I am getting much better at looking after myself and asking for help, which is a big improvement for me.
Thank you for reading, I hope you have a better understanding of endometriosis and what it's like to live with.
Please like my Facebook page and follow me on Instagram.
Resources:
Endometriosis UK
NHS page on Endometriosis
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