Endometriosis is a condition that affects thousands of people every year and it is both difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Endometriosis occurs when tissue starts to form in places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing extreme amounts of pain and discomfort. Because the symptoms of endometriosis are very similar to symptoms experienced during periods, it can take years for someone to be diagnosed. In fact, on average, it can take nearly 8 years for someone to get an endometriosis diagnosis. The fact that a diagnosis can take so long, means that people will go years suffering from extreme pain before they can receive any proper treatment.
Despite endometriosis being a well-known condition, for some reason, the diagnosis time isn’t getting any shorter. This is why it is important that you know the signs, so that if you do start to feel anything out of the ordinary, you can make a doctor’s appointment and get it checked by your doctor. In this article, we will go over some of the signs of endometriosis, and also explain a bit about the treatments available. Keep on reading to find out more.
Signs
Pain During or After Sex
A common symptom of endometriosis is pain during or after sex. A lot of women, particularly teenagers, are under the assumption that pain during sex is normal. However, the act of sex should never be painful, and if you start to feel pain during sex or you feel extremely sore after sex, then it could be a sign of endometriosis. Of course, there may be times when sex was a little uncomfortable, but if you are continuously in pain after having sex, you need to get it checked out by your doctor.
Fertility Issues
Another symptom of endometriosis is fertility issues. If you have been trying for a baby and you are struggling to conceive, there is a chance that endometriosis is to blame. As mentioned in the introduction, when someone has endometriosis, it is because tissue has formed in places it shouldn’t, like the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Excess tissue on both of these places can make it difficult for women to conceive, so it would be worth consulting your doctor if you are experiencing these issues.
Pain In Lower Tummy And Back
Severe pain in your tummy and lower back are also symptoms of endometriosis. If you find that you are constantly experiencing pain in your pelvic area or your lower back, then it could be a sign of endometriosis. It would be beneficial to start tracking the pain that you feel, because you may find that it links up with your menstrual cycle. Tracking your pain is also a good idea because it means that if you do go to the doctors, you can present them with it, so they can assess and see if they notice any patterns.
Extreme Period Pain & Heavy Periods
One of the reasons why endometriosis is difficult to diagnose is because the symptoms are closely related to period pains. Not only this, but often time, endometriosis can flare up and become more painful during a woman’s menstrual cycle, which is why endometriosis is overlooked. However, extreme period pain and super heavy periods are not normal, and if you are experiencing this every month, you need to contact your doctor.
Treatments
General Painkillers
Although it may not seem that effective, painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can be extremely effective when it comes to dealing with the pain from endometriosis. Ibuprofen, especially, is good for dealing with pain during periods as it is an anti-inflammatory. Of course, if your pain is too severe, then it is unlikely that over-the-counter painkillers will do the job, but they can be effective in managing the everyday pain.
Hormone Medicines
Hormone medicines are a common treatment for endometriosis and while sometimes they can be effective, they can also come with nasty side effects. When women are suffering from endometriosis, they will often be prescribed a form of contraception as a way of limiting or stopping the production of oestrogen in the body. Oestrogen can encourage the growth of endometriosis tissue, so the aim is to stop the tissue from developing. However, lots of contraceptives like the combined pill come with a whole range of side effects, so women can end up feeling worse.
Surgery
Surgery is often the last resort when it comes to dealing with endometriosis. It can take years for a diagnosis of endometriosis and then it can take even longer for women to receive surgery. Endometriosis occurs when tissue forms on places like the ovaries and so surgery is a way of removing that tissue, in the hopes that it will ease some of the pain. However, there are times where the endometriosis tissue will grow back after surgery, when it when a hysterectomy may be needed. A hysterectomy will likely be the last resort, but it is effective in removing the endometriosis.
