Top 5 Need to Know Facts about Endometriosis

This disease occurs when the endometrium – or the tissue lining the inside of the uterus – begins to grow outside of the uterus. As a result, the ovaries or pelvic organs can become distorted or even damaged depending on the severity of the individual case. While this may affect the fertility of sufferers, many studies suggest that 60-70% of women with endometriosis are still fertile. For those who still have trouble, reports have cited that using specific drugs to increase ovulation, in-vitro fertilization and surgical procedures help women conceive and have children.

In a society where heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are medical buzzwords, endometriosis isn’t really talked about. Due to this lack of awareness, many women don’t actually know they suffer from the disorder and don’t pursue treatment. On average, there’s a 7-year gap from when women notice the start of symptoms to when they get properly diagnosed and receive care. The disorder affects almost 200 million women around the world, hurting their productivity and quality of life. With several celebrities becoming open about their struggles, as well as several organizations increasing awareness, the global discussion is getting better.

A common symptom of endometriosis is pain in the pelvic area, and certain activities, like intercourse and going to the bathroom, make the pain worse. Because of how hormones affect the endometrium, discomfort will often be experienced during or around the woman’s monthly cycle. However, some experience chronic pelvic pain outside of their menstrual cycle, and not all women with endometriosis have a heavy flow. Ladies, it’s vital to get checked if anything feels wrong. The disease can make women fatigued and put a strain on their physical, mental, and even social wellbeing. It’s important not to ignore the pain, and extremely important for people not to brush it off as low pain tolerance or a delicate constitution.

There is a misconception that this disorder rarely affects teenagers and young women, and thus some doctors may not consider it a possibility when younger females exhibit the symptoms. Those who suffer from endometriosis are generally in their thirties and forties, but girls who haven’t even had their first period can get it. On the other end of the spectrum, menopause may not resolve the symptoms of the disorder, especially if there are growths called fibroids in the uterus. Therefore, it’s never too early or usually too late to go to your family physician if you sense that you may be affected.

Despite efforts to understand endometriosis, there is still a lot we don’t know about it. Many confuse a temporary infection called endometritis with the life-long condition; to be clear, abortions and douching are causes of the former, not the latter. Some theorize that genes, as well as pollutants in the environment, play a role in one’s likelihood of getting endometriosis, although there is no clearly known cause. When it comes to permanent relief, science is still trying to figure out a way. Some women’s pain has been alleviated by getting hysterectomies, using hormonal treatments, and even by giving birth. However, these solutions certainly don’t work for everyone, and even in cases where it eased pain, it wasn’t a long-lasting cure.


Did you find our list informative? Do you think that you may be suffering from symptoms of endometriosis? If so, please visit your family doctor. And for more informative lists, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.