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Endometriosis is a painful condition affecting many women, yet often years pass before it's diagnosed.
Tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus starts growing outside it, often affecting the ovaries, the bowel or tissue lining your pelvis. Cysts or scar tissue can form.
Beyond intense physical pain, endometriosis can affect everything from your mood and self-esteem to your relationships, especially when it disrupts your sex life.
Intense pelvic pain
The most serious complication is infertility. Up to half of all women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant, which is often what first brings it to your doctor's attention.
One reason for the delay in getting medical care is thinking the pain is normal menstrual discomfort and not taking symptoms seriously. The chief clue is intense pelvic pain, often during different circumstances. But keep in mind that the degree of pain doesn't always correlate with the severity of the endometriosis.
Warning signs:
- Pelvic pain that begins before and lasts a few days longer than your period.
- Menstrual cramping that's worse than it used to be and increases over time.
- Menstrual bleeding that's become heavier over time.
- You have pain when going to the bathroom, especially when you have your period.
- You experience pain during or after sex.
Treatment
Treatment may start with medication to ease discomfort. Taking hormones may slow the growths and prevent new ones, but it's not a permanent solution. According to the South African Guideline for Treatment of Endometriosis, "adequate counselling of women diagnosed with endometriosis should be accompanied by empirical treatment with adequate analgesia, including NSAIDs and hormonal treatment".
If you're trying to get pregnant, you might first need surgery to remove the growths. While up to 70% of women with endometriosis are able to get pregnant, new research suggests that they may have a higher risk of complications and should have careful monitoring during and after pregnancy.
Struggling with endometriosis can be an isolating experience, NPO Endometriosis Awareness, advocacy and support provides a safe space for women to talk openly about endometriosis while offering support. The support group meets once a month in Cape Town.
Image credit: iStock
