What You Need To Know About Endometriosis

There are loads of kick-ass benefits of being a woman. From shamelessly trying out new beauty trends to the joy of investing in special occasion lingerie, sometimes it’s just bloody great to be a chick #girlpower. However, having boobs, a uterus and a vagina does mean we’re subject to particular health concerns that men aren’t. Regular breast checks and pap smears are a must for women to stay on top of their health, however there are some conditions that can go unnoticed or undiagnosed simply because we’re not educated about them. One such condition is endometriosis. I speak to Dr Anne Poliness and Dr Georgiana Tang from the City Fertility Centre to find out the causes and symptoms of this condition and how women can be treated.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition affecting the uterus and occurs when “endometrial cells (womb lining) grow in the wrong place outside the uterus. These cells can alter the environment of the pelvis and the reproductive tract.”

How is it caused?

So, we all know that when we get our period each month, we are shedding the lining of our uterus. Well, that lining is made up of endometrial cells. When menstrual bleeding occurs, some of these cells can land in the pelvis. Dr Poliness explains that the endometrial cells and tissue are “usually absorbed by normal body channels”. However, in some women the tissue fails to be absorbed and continues to grow outside of the uterus. This is how endometriosis is caused.

Who is susceptible?

There is no definitive reason why some women can suffer from endometriosis while others may not. “It is likely that there is some genetic component to endometriosis as sometimes females in the same family are affected; however genetics is likely to be only part of the reason that a woman gets endometriosis, ” says Dr Poliness.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms of endometriosis are not the same for everyone. In fact, some women experience no symptoms at all which is why the condition can often go undetected. Symptoms that are common in sufferers include:

Severe period pain
Painful intercourse
Heavy periods
Spotting

Another symptom of endometriosis is that some women can have trouble falling pregnant. “If a couple has been unable to conceive after trying for 12 months, then endometriosis can be present in 30-50 per cent of [these] cases. The reasons why endometriosis causes fertility problems are likely to be due to changes in the womb lining tissue.”

How can it be treated?

When it comes to diagnosis, Dr Poliness tells us that a laparoscopy (keyhole surgery) is almost always required, as quite often “the endometrial tissue deposits are too small to show up on examination or ultrasound.” However, the good news is that if a laparoscopy is required, the tissue is usually treated or removed at the same time. Other treatments include hormone medication which can be effective in relieving the pain, however you cannot fall pregnant while on this medication.

Doctor's advice

Dr Tang offers her top tips for women suffering from endometriosis:

Seek help early if you are experiencing any symptoms of endometriosis, especially if your symptoms have been worsening or if you are planning to fall pregnant in the near future.
Blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds are helpful tools that doctors can organise for you to get more information.
Surgery may or may not be necessary and your doctor is the best person to advise you on how to confirm the diagnosis, the need for treatment, and the implications of endometriosis on your health and fertility.

Do you suffer from endometriosis? Did you know about these symptoms and treatments?

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Rose_P 12 Sep 2019 11:58 AM

I had endometriosis. It was awful. Periods were hell. I ended up having a hysterectomy when I was only 26. I was so sick that I didn’t have much choice. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 11:19 AM

There needs to be more spotlight on this.

Lucy16 6 Jun 2019 11:17 AM

More medical supports are needed.

Such an under-recognised condition.

Lucy16 3 Jun 2019 3:44 PM

Painful and harrowing.

Littleboxofglam 31 May 2019 11:35 AM

It is crazy to know that not many people are aware of endo! Needs more education in schools!

I know.

Endo is more painful than PCOS and debilitating at that...

taurusgirl79 7 May 2019 11:44 AM

I have Endometriosis. I know about having surgeries. But I didn't know about medication.

Khajiit 26 Oct 2018 11:25 PM

I've dealt with severe issues before, I have signs of endo - but unless you have the laparoscopy there is no diagnosis. So I just have to deal with it as best I can It has gotten better in the last couple of years though

2663anne 23 Oct 2018 1:56 PM

I suffered from endometriosis and pcos which ultimately resulted in me having a hysterectomy at a young age. To finally be pain free and live a normal life is incredible.

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shaper 23 Oct 2018 10:38 AM

I suffered for years with this until I found a specialist who finely diagnosed me and I had a full hysterectomy, luckily I already had two children but Oh boy what a relief But some Doctors just will not listen and just say Oh its just your monthly periods just take some painkillers and it will be fine. Since then I have been pain free and feel so liberated.

AmaliMuse 22 Oct 2018 7:22 PM

Thank you BH and the author who included this article on this site! I really appreciate this!!

MelissaFay89 22 Oct 2018 4:29 PM

My bf's housemate has this and she is always in so much pain :(

Chrystalage 19 Oct 2018 4:51 PM

I never had endo but my heart goes out to anyone who does. Such a painful and stressful condition. It's heartbreaking if it leads to infertility.

Nys Silver 19 Oct 2018 9:04 AM

It sounds awful. My best friend has so much trouble falling pregnant because of it. Don't be shy! Talk to your doctor if something doesn't feel right.

Miss19 18 Oct 2018 3:07 PM

It honestly sounds horrible and it's unfortunate that so many women have to go through this

abbeyleee12 18 Oct 2018 2:40 PM

so many women have this now, so unfair

GeeJ 11 Sep 2018 6:26 PM

Good article with useful information.

Fijifiji1 9 Jul 2018 11:56 PM

Very interesting read. One of my daughters suffers during 'that time's & only mentioned to me last week that she believes as she ages, it's getting worse. Will definitely be speaking to her about this article.

Tee631 18 Jun 2018 4:40 PM

hmmm that sounds terrifying

Lizzea 18 Jun 2018 10:20 AM

I suffer from endometriosis and was diagnosed 8 years ago after a cyst on my ovary (which I had no idea existed) burst and it took the hospital ages to even figure out what it was - I had my appendix out and still had a lot of bleeding. The radiologist got it right but they didn't listen to her. ANYWAY fast forward after that hospital 'cleaned me up' , I went to see a private OB/GYN who specialised in fertility/endo and was diagnosed by him surgically. I have had surgery 3 times to excise recurring endo and I am one of the lucky ones who does not suffer daily pain from endo - it only seems to come up (the pain) when the endo needs to be excised. It has really played with my head moreso than my body and I have so much sympathy for the ladies who have troublesome symptoms and unsympathetic (or perhaps just uneducated) doctors :( My advise is to talk to every professional that you can and find the person who feels right to you - is qualified, knows what they're doing, has a good track record and will assist you in managing your symptoms or prepare you for surgery. I'll probably have to have another one in a year or so because mine is so aggressive. Definitely here for all the endo sufferers out there xo

Sootyhere 18 Jun 2018 12:03 PM

take care

sunjeanie 18 Jun 2018 9:48 AM

I had surgery to check for endometriosis - came back all clear (thankfully). Still not sure what's going on for me unfortunately.

Hayley644 18 Jun 2018 8:33 AM

Sounds like an awful condition to have. I used to have terrible cramps and be bedridden and vomitting on the first day of my period when I was younger. Very debilitating. Luckily I'm not like that now.

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