What is Endometriosis and How Does it Affect Women?
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus, usually on other organs in the pelvic area such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and bowel. This tissue can continue to grow and die as it normally would during the menstrual cycle, but because it is growing outside the uterus it can cause pain, discomfort and in some cases, infertility.
Possible signs of endometriosis
There are several symptoms that may indicate endometriosis, including:
- Painful menstrual cramps that get worse over time
- Chronic pelvic pain, both during and outside menstruation
- Pain during sex
- Blood in the urine or stool during menstruation
- Irregular or heavy menstrual bleeding
- Fatigue
- Difficulty getting pregnant
The key to better diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis.
There are several reasons why endometriosis can be difficult to recognize and diagnose. The symptoms of endometriosis can be very similar to those of other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, ovarian cysts, or pelvic inflammatory disease. This can lead to delays in the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Many doctors do not have sufficient knowledge about endometriosis and how it presents. This can make it difficult to recognize the symptoms, especially if a woman does not have visible signs of the condition.
Endometriosis can only be diagnosed through a surgical procedure called a laparoscopy. This can mean that women with endometriosis go untreated for years, as doctors want to rule out other causes for their symptoms before recommending a laparoscopy. There is often a lack of awareness about endometriosis, which can lead to women feeling under-treated by their doctors and dismissing their symptoms as “normal” menstrual symptoms.
To address these issues, it is important that doctors are better educated about endometriosis and that more awareness is created about the condition. By paying more attention to endometriosis, women can be diagnosed and treated sooner, which can improve their quality of life.
What can we do for you?
Women's Healthcare Center provides expert care and support for women. Our team of specialisten will do everything they can to help you get the right diagnosis and find the best treatment options.
