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?

149 Member Comments

Tee631 18 Jun 2018 4:40 PM

hmmm that sounds terrifying

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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.

Shop A Everyday 17 Jun 2018 10:08 PM

I have bad pain each month, I really sympathise with those that have this

Nancy252 17 Jun 2018 6:24 PM

My sister suffers from endometriosis, this article was a great read to understand more about what’s going on!

Dance 17 Jun 2018 1:16 PM

So much sympathy for the women who suffer excruciating pain with this.

Sootyhere 18 Jun 2018 12:04 PM

absolutely its horrible for them

boston_and_bub 16 Jun 2018 7:08 PM

Just wanted to comment that when I was first diagnosed with endometriosis I was so worried about infertility but went on to fall pregnant straight away years later! So it’s not all bad, the mirena was a god send for me and stopped my periods for years before I started trying. I also had a laparoscopy which helped heaps with the pain I was getting. Speak to the right specialists and they can certainly provide the help and support to manage this condition.

jillian206 13 Jun 2018 8:49 PM

Good general information.

Kassalee 13 Jun 2018 5:48 PM

Fortunately there has been no endometriosis in my family but there are other issues that make pregnancy problematic.

Like to see more articles like this - there are many forums on different health issues.

wandus 13 Jun 2018 1:13 PM

My sister has it and she never managed to have children which was her biggest dream. I remember her turning green with pain, hospital visits, fainting etc. One lady from work had an operation few months ago and it was more like a celebration than convalescence. Terrible illness and so much pain!

Meedee 13 Jun 2018 7:04 AM

One of my daughters suffers with this and its been a complete nightmare for her. Before she was diagnosed she just thought that she had really bad period pain. She at times misses a lot of days of work because she just cant cope. Sometimes the pain is so bad she passes out. Shes had two surgeries so far. We just pray for a cure for her and all the other woman battling with this.

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Snailor 12 Jun 2018 10:47 PM

Having PCOS I am so glad that these conditions are now getting the air time they deserve!

Okatko 12 Jun 2018 11:29 AM

I don’t have endometriosis thank goodness. I did struggle to fall pregnant with my 3rd child due to a different condition and I know how disheartening that was. Period pains are bad enough.

pinchme80 12 Jun 2018 11:28 AM

Its horrible to have this condition u can beat it :)

Jessica712 12 Jun 2018 11:25 AM

I know a few people who suffer. Its terrible :(

Bellefleur 11 Jun 2018 9:19 PM

I know women who have this and it is highly unpleasant. Great to have an honest discussion about it.

Sootyhere 18 Jun 2018 12:05 PM

Good for them to know they aren't alone with this

Miss19 11 Jun 2018 9:13 PM

I had a friend who suffered from Endometriosis and unfortunately she couldn't have children because of it

That's sad for her

IndieAna 11 Jun 2018 8:12 PM

Endo is such a nasty condition

Brinsley 11 Jun 2018 7:57 PM

It is very painful!

Beautybabe140194 11 Jun 2018 4:55 PM

Sounds very painful, I have not suffered from this before.

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