Endometriosis And Period
Posted on 16 February 2022
Have you heard of endometriosis?
You’ve probably heard of it, or not, and it might actually be more common than what we think.
Let's talk endometriosis and how it affects our period.
During a typical menstrual cycle, the lining inside your uterus — the endometrium — builds up and is then shed. For some of us suffering with this condition, that lining grows usually around the ovaries.
Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during menstrual periods. The endometrium builds up and breaks down, it causes small amounts of bleeding inside the pelvis that leads to inflammation, swelling and scarring. Fertility problems also may develop.
Symptoms
“It’s not just pain in my abdomen or pain in my pelvis,” Lara Parker, 28, an endometriosis awareness advocate who describes her illness as “a monster” and “It completely wreaks havoc on my entire body in every possible way”.
One of the symptoms is pelvic pain during the time of the month. It is not to be mistaken with cramping as some of us experiencing during menstrual periods (I'm no way downplay the pain of cramp), but those with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that's far worse than usual.
I remember first reading about Endometriosis since I was a teenager and ticking almost all the boxes of symptoms.
Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Painful periods Pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) and get this, it is not necessarily during period, it can be days before and after period– usually worse during period.
- Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination. You might experience excruciating with bowel movements during a menstrual period.
- Excessive bleeding. Some of us with this condition experience heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods (intermenstrual bleeding).
- Infertility. If you find it hard to get pregnant, you might want to check you have endometriosis. About 30% to 40% of women with endometriosis have some trouble conceiving. It took years for some of us, if at all, conceived. The reason could be the scarring of the reproductive tract, or hormonal factors may be involved. Sometimes, endometriosis is first diagnosed in those seeking treatment for infertility. Nevertheless, do not lose heart as it is estimated that up to 70% of women with mild or moderate endometriosis will conceive within three years without any specific treatment.
- Other signs and symptoms. You may experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
If you think you might have endometriosis, know that you aren’t alone. The condition affects hundreds of thousands of women every year.
Endometriosis can affect women of any age. It's a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help to manage the symptoms and even infertility.
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