Everything 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.
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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:
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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.
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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?
106 Member Comments
such a great article, it is important to know the signs and to investigate early, I was luck to discover it early and it didn't effect my fertility but have had many friends who have really struggled to have children due to their server endodometriosis.
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Just been reading peoples comments on this article and am surprised more people didn't know about this condition. Well worded article which made it easier to understand. Thank you.
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I'm glad this is getting more awareness.
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Thanks for an informative article, Beautyheaven. My heart goes out to those suffering from this. It certainly is not pleasant. I know that my friend would be in bed for a few days each month on strong pain killers just to get through her period :-(
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Endometriosis is a nasty disease. I suffered for many years and it caused infertility. It can be treated but not cured. Danazol was one drug that was used but side effects are not that nice. 'Burning' it off via a laproscopic procedure works for a while, but the disease always comes back. If you wait till you get over menopause, it doesn't seem to pop up its nasty head.
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Such a horrible condition. My sympathies go to anyone suffering with it.
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Intriguing article, learnt so much new information about a condition I didn't even knew existed.
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Sounds like a horrible and painful condition to suffer from :(
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wow all these lady's like myself I'm a newbie found out i have pcos then back in October last year told i have endometriosis. been 2 years trying to start family had some heartbreak before my first removal in October last year . been said its taken some women 10 years to get the treatment they need .
I'm glad mine is only mild there is a long road ahead great article and so great that this condition is actually starting to get awareness.
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Great article and so great that this condition is actually starting to get awareness. I have suffered from this for the past 15 years
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I hope they come up with better detection & better ways to prevent this kind of thing soon. I used to know someone who had this but I haven't seen her for some time. Not sure how she's going now.
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I don't have it but I know some people that do.
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I was tested for this once and luckily i did not have it. Ive had friends with it and it made them really sick and left them with fertility problems. A horrible disease.
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About time awareness was raised on Endometriosis, I only learnt of it recently...
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I know a few people who suffer from this, and it can be quite uncomfortable.
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Males dominate the science and tech field and they either don't seek research funding or aren't concerned or aware about female health issues. This is why we need to encourage female students to pursue higher education in science and technology. We still don't have a lot of answers and its crucial to get research and funding to progress our understanding of the female body.
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I suffered from it from the age of 14 till in my early 30's. The pain use to get so bad that it would make me vomit. That was 25 years ago now and they didn't know a lot about it back then. Unfortunately it did affect my fertility and after many rounds of ivf we still could not have a family. If your doctor just says it's menstrual cramps seek a second opinion.
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I had a friend with this condition. She said that doc told her to have a baby and things will get better. I always thought that this was caused by messed up hormones from bad lifestyle ( and her diet was horrendous)
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I wish that this was something taught to girls when they are in school, I have suffered from horrible periods every since I got my first period at 11 years old :( nausea, nearly passing out from the pain many, many times, constantly being sent to "Sick Bay" in high school because I was in bad shape every period. Yet I was always told I just had periods worse than other girls, no one bothered to see if there was something wrong. Now at almost 27, I'm about to go in for my second laparoscopy at the end of the year to confirm that it's endometriosis. There needs to be more awareness spread about this horrible condition.
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Wow - there definitely needs to be more awareness and education in schools. I actually didn't know periods could be that bad. I knew many experience a lot of main but reading this article really opened my eyes up. I don't feel anything on my period - whatsoever - except for some excessive hunger and binge eating. I don't even get cramps... :/
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I have had bad periods since my teenage years. Vomitting, terrible back pain, spotting between periods and stabbing pains that have woken me up are common for me. my cycles are all over the place I can go from 25 days to 31 days to 42 days. I went to one doctor and she suspected it but the pelvic ultrasound didn't show anything. I went to another doctor and she did a pelvic ultrasound and she didn't find anything. She pretty much dismissed me and said that I was over reacting. The doctor pretty much told me that if I wanted further investigation I would need to pay for a specialist. She told me they probably won't find anything any way so don't bother. I know the pain is there and I know it is real. I don't know if it is endo (but I have been cleared for other things) but I know the pain isn't normal. I am planning to seek another opinion.
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Great article for women to know about.
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Thanks for sharing BH & letting us know.
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