10 signs warning of endometriosis
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10 signs warning of endometriosis
Endometriosis is an often painful disorder women experience with symptoms varying from woman to woman. The condition is where tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus - the endometrium – grows outside of the uterus. The endometrium is the tissue that thickens each month in preparation for possible implantation of an embryo. If there is no implantation, then the lining or tissue will bleed known as a woman’s menstrual cycle.
Areas of a woman’s body in which endometriosis can invade commonly involve the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. It rarely spreads beyond the pelvic organs. When endometriosis grows outside of the uterus, it will also thicken, break down and bleed with each menstrual cycle. But because this displaced tissue has no way to escape from the body, it becomes trapped. This can lead to the development of cysts that could be on the ovaries or other pelvic tissue resulting in surrounding tissue can become irritated leading to scar tissue and adhesions.
Endometriosis – difficult to diagnosis
Will a woman always know if she has endometriosis? It depends as the condition is not the same for every woman. Some women will have many symptoms while others may have few if any. Symptoms of endometriosis can be vague and difficult to know exactly what the problem may be.
Because endometriosis is not a straight forward type of condition easily diagnosed, it may take years – average time for a diagnosis is 7 to 10 years – for a woman to be told she has endometriosis.
Symptoms and risk factors of endometriosis
There can be several signs and risk factors pointing toward endometriosis. The more factors a woman is familiar with, the sooner she can receive an accurate diagnosis to be treated appropriately for the condition. Any woman experiencing these symptoms needs to see her doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
Here are 10 symptoms of endometriosis women should know:
1. Painful menstrual cramps
Any woman who has experienced menstrual cramps, and just about every woman has, knows the agony and pain that can be severe enough to have to miss school or work. Mild menstrual cramps are usually attributed to being a normal side effect of a monthly menstrual cycle however, painful menstrual cramps may be a sign of endometriosis.
Cramps caused by endometriosis can be more intense that may lead to nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
2. Pelvic Pain
Pelvic pain may be associated with endometriosis that about 20% of women with the condition will experience. The pelvic pain does not just occur during a woman’s menstrual cycle but can also happen throughout the cycle.
3. Pain during sexual intercourse
Pain during sexual intercourse is not normal and it could be a sign of endometriosis. The pain may not always be present each and every time and it may be felt only during certain positions, but it needs to be brought up with a doctor to discover the cause.
4. Heavy menstrual periods
Excessive bleeding or heavy periods (menorrhagia) can be a symptom of endometriosis. Not only can a woman’s period be heavier but they may occur more frequently and also last longer than usual with spotting between periods known as menometrorrhagia.
5. Painful periods
Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before a woman’s period starts and extend several days into her period. A woman may also experience lower back and abdominal pain.
6. Infertility
Many women with endometriosis are often first diagnosed with endometriosis while they are being evaluated for infertility. According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, endometriosis may be found in up to 50% of infertile women.
7. Depression and fatigue
A woman having to deal with frequent, painful and extended menstrual cycles along with painful intercourse and difficulty in becoming pregnant is bound to suffer from depression and fatigue.
8. Bladder issues
Another symptom some women may notice is blood in the urine and/or pain when urinating. There could also be a tendency to have frequent or urgency in needing to urinate. If a woman has a severe case of endometriosis, the tissue may grow around or even inside the bladder leading to pain and bleeding. Any woman with these symptoms needs to see her doctor.
9. Constipation and diarrhea
Constipation or diarrhea that comes and goes with a tendency to get worse around the time of menstruation could be a sign of endometriosis. Pain may also be experienced when a woman has a bowl movement or when passing gas.
10. Family history of endometriosis
Any women whose mother or sister has endometriosis, is at a greater risk of developing the condition herself as well. When a first degree relative has endometriosis, it can raise a woman’s risk of it by 7% along with the risk of having a more severe case of it. The exact cause of endometriosis is not certain but there could be a genetic link to the disease.