Endometriosis Awareness Month: what are the symptoms?

Endometriosis affects more than five million women and is the number cause of infertility. Yet, many women do not even know they have it because symptoms may be hidden or difficult to interpret as an indication of something more significant.

Symptoms of endometriosis usually include pain, sometimes extremely severe during menstruation. That might be accompanied by a nagging or unrelievable pain in the pelvic area or lower back. Many women also report pain during and after sexual intercourse.

Occasionally pain from endometriosis might be confused with gastrointestinal distress. There may be pain in the intestines and painful bowel movements. This is because of the excess tissue which might be adhered to the intestines. It may also hurt to urinate. Usually these pains are accompanied by diarrhea, bloating and/or constipation.

During menstruation a woman might feel incredibly nauseous and fatigued. There may also be spotting between periods. And, of course, infertility is also an unfortunate symptom of endometriosis.

As endometrial adhesions occur, they will be found in several places. Most often the fallopian tubes, ovaries and outer surface of the uterus. The vagina, cervix, and pelvic cavity lining is another place where endometrial cells may attach. They may also be found on the bowel, bladder and rectum.

Be sure to talk to a doctor if any of this sounds familiar either to your own experience or someone you know. There are treatments for the discomfort and also for the disease. Tomorrow we’ll talk about ways to live with endometriosis and current treatments for it.

Source: AFA