The month of March has been declared Endometriosis Awareness Month worldwide to raise awareness for the estimated 178 million women who are affected by this disease. Our blog below first provides general information about the disease and ends with a real testimonial written by a community member. She talks about what living with endometriosis is like.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is defined by Endometriosis.org as “a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body”.
What types of symptoms do women with endometriosis have?
The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain (endometriosis.org). The pain is often around the same time as a woman’s menstrual cycle, however women can experience the pain at other times.
According to the Mayo Clinic, other symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Pain with intercourse
- Pain in the lower back.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination
- Excessive bleeding
- Infertility
- Fatigue
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Bloating or nausea
Most of the symptoms are more prevalent during the menstrual cycle. As you can tell, having endometriosis can significantly impact a woman’s life.
Can you prevent endometriosis?
No, and you should also know you did nothing to cause it. While there are several possible explanations about what causes endometriosis, there is no clear answer.
How rare is it for women to have endometriosis?
It is not rare at all; in fact, it is pretty common. The Endometriosis Foundation of America says that an estimated 1 out of 10 women suffer from endometriosis in the United States, but many cases remain undiagnosed.
This is one of the main reasons it’s so important to raise awareness about endometriosis! It’s common and can be treated, yet many women still remain undiagnosed.
How do you diagnose endometriosis?
Our Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner Jan Davis helped us break down the diagnosis process for the Family Health Clinic.
“Endometriosis is a disease of exclusion, which means that after we exclude common reasons for menstrual pain we would begin to think about it. At the Family Health Clinic, we refer patients for a follow up to one of our medical partners for more extensive diagnostics,” she said.
Different methods of diagnosing endometriosis include pelvic exams, ultrasounds, or a laparoscopy.
I’m having some of these symptoms, what should I do?
If you believe you are having signs or symptoms of endometriosis, make an appointment to talk with one of our Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners by calling (800) 321-5043. We can begin the process of eliminating other potential reasons you’re having those symptoms and then refer you to our medical partner if we believe you need more extensive testing and treatment.
How can I help raise awareness for endometriosis?
Learn more about the Worldwide Endometriosis March by clicking here. Or, you can learn about multiple ways to raise awareness for endometriosis by clicking here!
Also, the color for Endometriosis Awareness Month is yellow, in case you’d like to organize a day where everyone at your workplace raises awareness!
What is it like to live with endometriosis?
A community members shared her personal story about living with endometriosis with us, and we thank her for her bravery, honesty, and for raising awareness!
For about ten years, I have been living with endometriosis. I had been experiencing the pain for so long that I thought it was normal. I had never known any different. But one day, while playing volleyball, I fell to the floor from excruciating pain and from that point, I knew something was wrong.
When I talked to my pediatrician, she prescribed me birth control pill to try to regulate my pain. Endometriosis was discussed, but I was very young, so my doctor was skeptical and hesitant to diagnose me.
I was eventually sent to a specialist in Gynecology, and after one visit, he was convinced that it was most likely Endometriosis. After a laparoscopy was done when I was 14, it was without a doubt, confirmed that I had Endometriosis. At first, I was not sure what it truly was or what it meant for me. All that I knew at the time was that I was often in pain and that it interfered with of my daily life. I was hopeful, however, that after my procedure I would be free from the pain.
Soon after the procedure, I met with my doctor to go over everything they had found. Luckily, it wasn’t severe. They had caught it before it could spread rapidly. My doctor cautioned me that because I was so young when I first experienced Endometriosis, I would most likely have to repeat the surgery in my early to mid-twenties. I was advised to stay on a pill form of birth control so that the pain would hopefully be regulated. Even with both of these still experienced pain off and on. That is hardest thing about this disease: it never fully goes away.
After my procedure and getting used to birth control, I was still experiencing pain. It’s common to experience pain even when you take precautions. Some days are worse than others, and at some points it is hard to complete day-to-day activities.
Endometriosis can cause issues with fertility, which is my biggest concern with living with this disease. I was and still am fortunate that I have never entered into a severe stage and have not had to face the reality that many others do.
Now in my early twenties, just as my doctor had warned me at 14, my Endometriosis is back and I have begun experiencing pain and discomfort more often. I made the decision to stop taking birth control to see how my body would react, and I quickly noticed how much the pill helped regulate the pain and other side effects. Because there is still no cure for Endometriosis, having a laparoscopy and using birth control are the only two things that have been helpful for me thus far.
Bringing more awareness to this disease, I am hopeful that even though there is no cure now, there may be someday. Endometriosis has caused some roadblocks and disruptions in my life, but it has never stopped me from doing what I want to do!
