3 things you need to know about endometriosis

Endometriosis is quite common. It is said to affect 1 in 10 women and people with gynaecological organs. In the UK, a similar proportion are affected by endometriosis as diabetes! Yet, on average it takes about 8 years to diagnose! More awareness needs to be raised and much more research is necessary. We still don’t have a clear understanding as to why it occurs, though there are some theories.
 
Endometriosis is where endometrial like tissue is present in places outside of the uterus/womb. It can spread onto the ovaries, fallopian tube, bowels and even as far as the lungs!
 
It can cause a variety of symptoms including severe period pains (back/ tummy), painful intercourse, pain on urinating or opening bowels during your period, heavy bleeding during periods, fertility problems and so on.
 
The symptoms of endometriosis vary between individuals. However, it’s so important to note that they can be severe enough to have a profound impact on an individual’s life. The symptoms can be very debilitating and limiting but for some, it may not cause any symptoms at all.

Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms can vary considerably. Also, there are many other conditions which cause similar symptoms eg. IBS. If you are struggling with symptoms, please speak with your Doctor to have more assessments to ascertain the cause. If you feel you are not getting the support you need, you can seek a second opinion.
 
Periods are not supposed to be painful and debilitating. Please don’t suffer in silence. There are treatment options out there and I will go into this further in a future reel.
 
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Please share this with family and friends. Let’s get the word out, raise much needed awareness. Change the narrative 🙌🏾🙌🏾

#periodpain #endometriosis #endowarrior #chronicpain #chronicillness #endometriosisawareness #changethenarrative #womenshealth #healthawareness #healtheducation

[liacruz]

I’ll tell you why it takes so many years to diagnose! Because doctors dismiss our symptoms as if it were them having those horrible symptoms. I have been in so much pain since I was 12 years old! They kept on telling me it was “normal” and kept putting me on all kinds of birth control for YEARS!!! I am now 27 and kept pushing that this was not normal pain and bleeding!! I demanded an ultrasound and I even told the doctor that I thought this is what I had ! I finally got the ultrasound and guess what??? Full blown STAGE 4 ENDOMETRIOSIS!!! I am so disappointed with the doctors that I have been to throughout all these years and they never checked me, never sent me to get an ultrasound, NOTHING AT ALL! Literally just kept telling me “It’s normal”. Doctors have to do better!!

[Heemumar]

The fact that it takes about 8 years to diagnose endometriosis, truly medicine has failed women😢

[shaikshanustella]

Can anyone please tell me if I should visit a gynecologist during my period or after my period? I have severe cramps and I take multiple painkillers a day and also it hurts badly while using the washroom.

[ladyJustis]

I just want to say I stopped my period with birth control for many years and I was able to conceive when I was off the birth control

[carmenblanco]

And if hysterectomy is not the cure then what is it? Are we doomed? I just feel like the remedy is worse than the disease. And if left alone you run the risk of becoming fatal?

[tia]

That’s just sad it takes that long to diagnose and it should be a better way not just through surgery

[womenshealthca]

Because it's just period pain they say

[jasmines]

Please someome help me. I have fibroids that I've had for years. I have always have severe pelvic snd back pain and more recently it's radiating to my left leg. I can't get anyone to tell me what's wrong but I know its not just random sciatica or me getting older. Would doctors get offended if I got a 2nd opinion ?

[chandinigarib]

Took 18 years for me. 😢 i had a suspicion

[thaparmanisha]

Can i take banana shake incase of endometriosis?

[Grinchfairy]

1 in 7 in Australia (discrepancy may be due to differences in diagnostic criteria used in the US vs Australia).

The Institute for Molecular Bioscience at The University of Queensland states that endometriosis is a complex syndrome affecting 1 in 7 women of reproductive age.

[cassv]

I saw a story of a woman who took OVER 30 YEARS! 🥹