Endometriosis: The Signs and Available Treatment

Endometriosis is a condition that affects thousands of people every year, and it is both difficult to diagnose and difficult to treat. Endometriosis occurs when tissue starts to form in places like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing extreme amounts of pain and discomfort. Because the symptoms of endometriosis are very similar to symptoms experienced during periods, it can take years for someone to be diagnosed. In fact, on average, it can take nearly 8 years for someone to get an endometriosis diagnosis. The fact that a diagnosis can take so long means that people will go years suffering from extreme pain before they can receive any proper treatment.

Despite endometriosis being a well-known condition, for some reason, the diagnosis time isn’t getting any shorter. This is why it is important that you know the signs so that if you start feeling anything out of the ordinary, you can make a doctor’s appointment and get it checked by your doctor. 

In this article, we will go over some of the signs of endometriosis and explain a bit about the available treatments. Keep on reading to find out more. 

Signs

• Pain During or After Sex

A common symptom of endometriosis is pain during or after sex. A lot of women, particularly teenagers, are under the assumption that pain during sex is normal. However, the act of sex should never be painful, and if you start to feel pain during sex or you feel extremely sore after sex, then it could be a sign of endometriosis. Of course, there may be times when sex is a little uncomfortable, but if you are continuously in pain after having sex, you need to get it checked out by your doctor.

• Fertility Issues

Another symptom of endometriosis is fertility issues. If you have been trying for a baby and you are struggling to conceive, there is a chance that endometriosis is to blame. As mentioned in the introduction, when someone has endometriosis, it is because tissue has formed in places it shouldn’t, like the ovaries and the fallopian tubes. Excess tissue in both of these places can make it difficult for women to conceive, so it would be worth consulting your doctor if you are experiencing these issues. 

• Pain In Lower Tummy and Back

Severe pain in your tummy and lower back are also symptoms of endometriosis. If you find that you are constantly experiencing pain in your pelvic area or your lower back, then it could be a sign of endometriosis. It would be beneficial to start tracking the pain that you feel because you may find that it links up with your menstrual cycle. Tracking your pain is also a good idea because if you go to the doctors, you can present them with it, so they can assess and see if they notice any patterns.

• Extreme Period Pain & Heavy Periods

One of the reasons why endometriosis is difficult to diagnose is because the symptoms are closely related to period pains. Not only this, but often time, endometriosis can flare up and become more painful during a woman’s menstrual cycle, which is why endometriosis is overlooked. However, extreme period pain and super heavy periods are not normal, and if you are experiencing this every month, you need to contact your doctor.

Treatments 

• General Painkillers

Although it may not seem that effective, painkillers like ibuprofen and paracetamol can be highly effective when dealing with the pain from endometriosis. Ibuprofen, especially, is good for dealing with pain during periods as it is an anti-inflammatory. Of course, if your pain is too severe, then it is unlikely that over-the-counter painkillers will do the job, but they can be effective in managing everyday pain.

• Hormone Medicines

Hormone medicines are a common treatment for endometriosis. While sometimes these medications can be effective, they can also come with nasty side effects. When women are suffering from endometriosis, they will often be prescribed a form of contraception to limit or stop estrogen production in the body. Estrogen can encourage the growth of endometriosis tissue, so the aim is to prevent the tissue from developing. However, many contraceptives, like the combined pill, come with a whole range of side effects, so women can feel worse.

• Surgery

Surgery is often the last resort when it comes to dealing with endometriosis. It can take years to diagnose endometriosis, and it can take even longer for women to receive surgery. Endometriosis occurs when tissue forms on places like the ovaries, and so surgery is a way of removing that tissue in the hopes that it will ease some of the pain. 

However, there are times when the endometriosis tissue will grow back after surgery. When it does, a hysterectomy may be needed. A hysterectomy will likely be the last resort, but it is effective in removing endometriosis.