MARCH: ENDO AWARENESS MONTH
FACT: when it comes to our flow, it can be completely normal for women to experience either mild or even slightly intense period pain, as well as heavy or light bleeding.
ALSO FACT: for some women, their periods could be a sign of something more serious.
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis (AKA ‘endo’) is caused when cells similar to those lining the uterus start to grow in places they shouldn’t – most often in a woman’s pelvis or reproductive organs. But it can also be seen in the bowel, bladder, and as far away as the lungs and the brain.
These cells then grow to become lesions or patches that bleed in response to the hormones during your period. Fatigue, pelvic pain, and infertility are just a few of the symptoms, but the degree of these doesn’t always indicate the damage the disease is causing.
Unfortunately (for now) there is no cure.
HOW COMMON IS IT?
Recent stats (AIHW 2023) found that 1 in 7 (14%) women, girls, and those assigned female at birth (AFAB) will be diagnosed with endometriosis by the age of 44 – 49. Some women don’t discover they have the disease until they experience issues falling pregnant or during an operation.
HOW IS ENDO DIAGNOSED?
The only way endometriosis can be diagnosed is undergoing a laparoscopy with a biopsy (tissue sample) taken. This surgical procedure is performed under a general anaesthetic. A thin telescope is placed into the umbilicus (belly button), allowing your doctor to see inside the abdomen and assess the pelvic and abdominal organs. Because the laparoscopy magnifies tissues, even small amounts of the disease can be seen.
Any tissue thought to contain endometriosis is removed during surgery and sent to a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis.
At other times, the diagnosis is suggested without having a laparoscopy. Why? It could be because your doctor can feel tissues in your pelvis affected by endometriosis; can see an endometriosis cyst affecting your ovary (or other pelvic organ); or, very occasionally, see the endometriosis if it has grown through the vagina.
FACT: the only way to be 100% certain of the diagnosis is to have a laparoscopy and/or biopsy.
WHEN TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR
Endo symptoms vary from woman to woman: some experience excruciating period pain; others experience none. Check in with your doctor if you suffer from:
Pain:
o Pain on or around your period and ovulation
o Pain during/after sex
o Pain with bowel movements
o Pain when urinating
o If you’re too uncomfortable to complete your day-to-day activities.
Bleeding:
o Heavy, irregular, or breakthrough bleeds are all potential symptoms.
· Bladder and bowel:
o Changes to your usual bladder or bowel movements
o Have trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or increased urgency.
· Other – Bloating, tiredness and fatigue or moodiness – especially around the time of your period.
HOW DO YOU TREAT ENDO?
Currently, there are three kinds of treatments:
1. Medical (i.e., medications)
2. Surgical (i.e., operation)
3. Allied (physiotherapy, psychology, alternate medicine, etc). But, before you start, speak to your doctor. There are advantages and disadvantages to each treatment, and you should be aware of their possible effects, side effects, and/or complications. You might need to have several different treatment types before finding the right combination for you.
ENDO AWARENESS MONTH
March is Endo Awareness month, and there are hundreds of support services out there for women who suffer. If you’re unsure where to start, check in with your doctor.
This information is not a substitute for a medical opinion. Please see a doctor for medical advice.
