Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age (12-60 years old) in the U.S. and 176 million women worldwide, according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America. Normally, endometrial tissue lines the uterus, thickens, breaks apart, and eventually sheds from the body during a female’s monthly menstrual cycle.
Those women who are affected with endometriosis will have excess endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. The abnormal growth of endometrial tissue usually occurs in other areas of the reproductive system including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic ligaments. Endometrial growths may also occur in the bladder, bowel, intestines, and rectum. Because the tissue is endometrial, it follows the hormonal “trigger” that the lining of the uterus (endometrium) follows; the endometrial growths will swell and bleed just as the lining of the uterus does, but with no means of exiting the body. The trapped blood causes an array of health problems that are chronic in nature.
What makes endometriosis hard to diagnose are the array of chronic symptoms that can be felt in full or no capacity, with varying degrees of severity. Despite the magnitude of symptoms that can result from endometriosis, there are, generally, a few indicative signs that crop up as a result of the condition:
- Painful cramps: these aren’t the normal cramps that occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle; they are, at times, excruciating.
- Longer periods/heavy menstrual flow: any period that lasts longer than the normal 7-day cycle and/or consists of an unusually heavy flow could be a sign of endometriosis.
- Pain during sex: the abnormal lesions, with no place to shed, often break down and form a buildup of scar tissue that inflames and irritates surrounding tissue and organs. This can cause women to experience pain during sex.
- Chronic fatigue
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Urination and bowel problems: some women who are diagnosed with endometriosis express symptoms of painful urination and bowel movement which sometimes leads to a misdiagnosis.
- Infertility: 30-40% of women who are afflicted with endometriosis have difficulty with fertility, according to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
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If you are experiencing chronic symptoms of any kind and have yet to receive a proper diagnosis or treatment, please call (727) 466-6789 to schedule an appointment. At LifeWorks Wellness Center, our doctors understand the array of symptoms that can occur and will devise an individualized treatment plan that will address your specific health issues.
