Endometriosis - What is it? (Part 1)
Endometriosis is a complex condition that affects 1 in 9 people who menstruate and can have a significant and far-reaching impact on a person’s life.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that is characterised by the growth of endometrial-like tissue in locations outside of the uterus. This means that cells that are similar to the lining of our uterus (called the ‘endometrium’) grow in various places throughout the body – often the pelvis or abdomen but have also been found as far as the lungs or eyes. These cells follow the same cycle of thickening throughout our menstrual cycle but are unable to shed with our period the way our endometrium would.
A common misconception is that endo is simply a ‘reproductive’ condition when in fact it affects (and is affected by) all the systems in our body – our nervous system, our gut, our immune system & our hormones.
Some symptoms of endometriosis include:
Painful or heavy periods
Pain with sexual intercourse or the use of tampons
Pain with bowel movements
Painful ovulation
Generalised pain – pelvic pain, low back pain, hip pain
Bloating
Constipation or diarrhea
IBS
Food intolerances
Infertility or difficulty conceiving
Fatigue
Brain fog
Pelvic floor dysfuntion (can cause bladder or bowel leakage)
Migarines
Nausea
As you can see, endo has the potential to significantly impact the quality of an individual’s life. Symptoms may be persistent or exacerbated at the time of your period or ovulation. Some women don’t experience any symptoms until trying to fall pregnant.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Tragically, diagnosis of endometriosis is difficult, and women suffer, on average, 7 years before receiving one. There are a few reasons for this.
Historically women’s health has not been at the forefront of medical research and so there has been limited understanding of the condition and how it presents. THANKFULLY, this is changing in recent times and there has been a significant increase in awareness and funding for research.
There is a misconception that ‘period pain is normal’ and exists on a spectrum which means a lot of women’s concerns are dismissed.
The common use of hormonal contraception can help mask endometriosis symptoms, meaning women may not be aware until they start trying to conceive.
Currently, diagnosis requires laparoscopic surgery which has significant risks and financial implications.
The process of diagnosis is complicated, and typically, involves:
A referral from your GP to a gynecologist (ideally one with advanced laparoscopic training) who will discuss your symptoms and medical history - this helps create a clinic picture.
An internal ultrasound which can help determine whether there are endometrial adhesions (when different organs are stuck together by endometriosis) or visible deposits of endometrial tissue. Ultrasound isn’t capable of definitively detecting endo tissue and so can’t be used exclusively to rule it in or out
Currently the only way to diagnose endometriosis is with surgery. If your gynecologist deems it safe and warranted (based on your clinical picture), then keyhole surgery is performed. We'll discuss this (and other management strategies) next week.
I hope this post has helped shed some light on what endometriosis is, how it can affect different people and the process of diagnosis. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above or your menstrual cycle affects your life more than you’d like, please reach out. There are so many avenues for support and relief.
Stay tuned for part 2 next week where we discuss the different options for treatment and management.
The endo journey can be a difficult, painful and lonely one. If you’re being impacted, then all of my love.
Zoe xo