What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis affects 10% of women worldwide yet till this day it remains much of a mystery.
It is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) starts growing outside the uterus. These rogue tissues can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the outer surface of the uterus, and other organs within the pelvis. This can lead to a range of symptoms, including chronic pain, heavy periods, and in some cases, infertility.
My Personal Journey
I had experienced painful periods since I first got them at age 14 but I was told this was normal so I learned to adapt and live through the pain however as I got older I started to notice random sharp stabbing pains in different locations around my gut throughout the month and experiencing pain during intercourse.
I vividly remember walking through a busy shopping centre during my work lunch break, when all of a sudden, I got this sharp contracting pain in my gut that made me literally fall to my knees. I was so embarrassed but knew something was not right at that moment.
However, the journey to diagnosis was long, intrusive and confusing.
I found out I had severe stage 4 endometriosis only after I had a laparoscopy surgery.
Leading up to the surgery, all my results would come back normal, in fact after an internal ultrasound, the sonographer said "looks good, text book normal!".
My surgeon recommended the surgery so he could get a better view, but at this point it was just a guessing game. He said he would do 1 insertion to get a better view but after the he told me that I had such severe endometriosis that it had spread so much they had to go in several places to remove it.
I was told surgery wasn't a guarantee that it was gone for life, it could come back after a few years or not but that being pregnant and breastfeeding seem to keep it at bay but even then, they do not have much information on endometriosis as yet.
It's been several years since the surgery, I still have painful periods but nothing compared to what it used to be, so I call that a win.
Symptoms
Endometriosis can present itself in many ways, but here are some common symptoms:
Painful periods (dysmenorrhea): Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
Pain during intercourse: Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
Pain with bowel movements or urination: These symptoms are most likely to occur during your period.
Excessive bleeding: You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
Infertility: Sometimes, endometriosis is first diagnosed in those seeking treatment for infertility.
Other symptoms: You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosing endometriosis can be tricky because its symptoms are similar to other conditions. It often involves:
Pelvic exam: Your doctor manually feels (palpates) areas in your pelvis for abnormalities.
Ultrasound: This test uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your body. A standard ultrasound imaging test won't definitively tell your doctor whether you have endometriosis, but it can identify cysts associated with the condition.
Laparoscopy: The only way to be sure you have endometriosis is through a minor surgical procedure called laparoscopy. During this procedure, the surgeon looks for signs of endometriosis and, if found, can sometimes remove the tissue.
Treatment options vary based on the severity of the condition and whether you want to become pregnant. They include pain medications, hormone therapy, and surgery.
Hope
Despite its challenges, It has highlighted to me the need for greater awareness and understanding of women's health issues. If you're reading this and you have endometriosis, remember that you're not alone. Do your research and find a Doctor who will listen to you, Find a community of women who understand and share your journey because it can feel like a lone journey.
Let's continue to support each other, share our stories, and spread awareness in hopes of better understanding this condition and its preventions or treatments for our future daughters.
Stay strong, Ladies!