Endometriosis - Most Common Questions & Answers
About 10% of the people born with a uterus have endometriosis. The most common inconveniences from Endometriosis shows before and after the menstrual bleeding. The pains of endometriosis can be so immense that one can vomit, faint and be completely knocked out for several days. In this blog, we will conclude some of the most common questions about Endometriosis.
When should I suspect that I have Endometriosis and not regular period cramps?
If you are hurting so much that you can’t do your regular daily activities, you should visit a gynaecologist and seek help. Another complicating factor of Endometriosis is that not all people that have these condition experience symptoms and the severity of the symptoms don’t always correlate with the extent of the disease.
What are the most common symptoms of Endometriosis?
Heavy pain before and/under the menstrual bleeding
Fatigue, pain and cramps that do not go away with regular pain killers
Pain around the ovulation or other times during the cycle
Heavy, long and irregular periods
Deep pains during penetrative sex
Diarrhoea or constipation
Ache around the groin, and/or the lower back that radiates to the legs
Recurrent UTIs where antibiotics do not work
Difficulties getting pregnant
I only have 2-3 of these symptoms, can I still have Endometriosis?
Yes, the symptoms one gets are very individual. Some people do not get any symptoms at all but can still have the condition. There are also more symptoms than those listed above. It is also important to notice that one can have all of these symptoms without having endometriosis.
What can I do for my mental health?
It can be very psychologically hard to live with Endometriosis. Some experience that therapy or counselling helps.
Can Endometriosis be cured?
Endometriosis can be treated, and even when adequately treated, endometriosis has a tendency to recur. However, there are various medical and surgical medical treatments available to manage this disease and its symptoms.
Is there a simple test to check if I have Endometriosis?
Unfortunately, there is not a single and easy test to diagnose Endometriosis. A physical exam and your medical history are also inadequate to make a full diagnosis. An ultrasound that shows cysts in the ovaries can make a doctor suspicious for Endometriosis, but the correct way of confirming a diagnosis is only by performing surgery to examine the pelvic organs and to take tissue samples.
Will endometriosis affect my capacity to become pregnant?
Some people can experience more severe forms of Endometriosis. In such cases, the fallopian tubes can be distorted or damaged by scar tissue. This can make it hard to become pregnant or enhance the risk of developing an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterus).
Is Endometriosis associated with genetics?
We don’t know exactly why Endometriosis happens, although there are several theories that can explain it. Some research suggests that there is a possible genetic predisposition to endometriosis with a higher incidence amongst siblings. Although this is just one theory amongst many others, no explanation is complete and can explain every case of Endometriosis.
Does Endometriosis progress in stages? What are the stages?
Yes, there are different stages of Endometriosis; different actors classify these stages differently, so it may be confusing. Some patients with Endometriosis have only “superficial and/or minimal scattered Endometriosis”. This often (but not always) causes minimal pain. Some people with Endometriosis has “deep infiltrative Endometriosis”, this stage is usually very painful and can cause fertility problems.
Are treatment procedures advancing?
Yes, the good news about Endometriosis is that treatment opportunities continue to advance. Many people who are diagnosed with Endometriosis are able to manage the condition, to become pregnant if they desire to without fertility treatment.
I suspect Endometriosis after reading this blog, what should I do?
Endometriosis is a common condition and in most cases, it is mild to moderate. However, for some people, the condition can cause serious problems. If you are concerned about Endometriosis, speak up. We know that it is not always easy to advocate for you, especially not when it comes to one’s reproductive health and rights. Early detection and early treatment can improve the quality of life of people with Endometriosis. Your health care provider can get more information if you share it with them, and individualize recommendations for you. Be sure to speak to a gynaecologist who has a special interest in the condition.
References:
http://www.endometriosis.org/
https://endometriosforeningen.com/
https://resolve.org/infertility-101/medical-conditions/endometriosis/endometriosis-questions/
https://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/health-matters/consultant-qa/endometriosis-questions-answered-by-a-specialist#gdpr-out