If you’re between the ages of 15 and 44, endometriosis is something you should be aware of, especially considering that the condition affects 11% of this age group.
The reality is that endometriosis is a complex condition that’s challenging to diagnose and treat, which is why Dr. Chetanna Okasi and the team at Women’s Wellness MD want to shine a light on endometriosis in this month’s blog post.
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month; it’s a great time to review a few key points about this common women’s health issue.
A great place to start is with a brief description of endometriosis. With this condition, typical cells and tissues that are part of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) grow outside the organ.
These ectopic tissues — a scientific reference to the fact that they’re not in the normal place — can attach themselves to various organs and support structures in your pelvis and abdomen, such as your:
These tissues continue to respond to your menstrual cycles and grow, but they have nowhere to go (under normal circumstances, you shed endometrial tissues through your period). Instead, they can create problematic adhesions (scar tissue) that can lead to issues with discomfort and malfunction.
When it comes to symptoms, pelvic pain is a leading one, especially during your periods. This pain occurs when the misplaced endometrial tissues become inflamed during your menstrual cycles, which can add to your normal period pain.
As the endometriosis grows, your pelvic pain can go from sporadic to more constant.
Ectopic endometrial tissues often form in an area called the cul-de-sac, which separates your uterus from your rectum. When this occurs, it can affect the flexibility and mobility of your vagina and make intercourse painful. More than half of women with endometriosis report painful sex.
If endometrial tissues adhere to any of your digestive tract, such as your bowel, rectum, or small intestine, you can run into gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea and constipation.
Women with endometriosis also report no small amount of bloating, and we even have a name for it — endo belly.
It’s common for endometrial tissues to affect your fertility as they can:
By the numbers, between 30 and 50% of women with endometriosis experience infertility.
On average, it takes 4-11 years to receive a proper diagnosis of endometriosis, and this is largely attributable to the wide range of symptoms.
Visit us sooner rather than later if you're experiencing one or more of the symptoms noted above, so we can evaluate the issue and determine if it's related to endometriosis.
On a positive note, if we do find that you have endometriosis, there are treatment options that range from hormone therapies to surgery to remove problematic adhesions.
The first step is to schedule a consultation with us, so we can determine what’s occurring with your reproductive health. Contact us today by calling our Columbia or Greenbelt, Maryland, office or using our online booking feature to schedule your visit.
