Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial like grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining the pelvis. In rare cases, endometriosis may also involve other organs, such as the intestines, bladder, rectum, and lungs. Endometriosis affects approximately 10% of women. Unfortunately, owing to the wide variety of symptoms, it takes Australian women seven years from the onset of their symptoms to get a diagnosis. So, what are the symptoms of endometriosis?
The Symptoms of Endometriosis
If you’ve kept track of your symptoms, you’ll know when you are most susceptible to them and how intense they are. This will help you give your doctor or specialist the bigger picture and help them assess your symptoms.
Endometriosis symptoms:
- Painful periods which inhibit your ability to continue your daily activities. Such pain will not respond to medication such as painkillers.
- Abnormal periods which may continue for longer than seven days, are heavy, or you have spotting between periods.
- Sex can be painful if you have endometriosis in the lining of your pelvis.
- Difficulty in falling pregnant can be a symptom of endometriosis.
- Bloating or endo belly which can be as visually noticeable as pregnancy.
- A less common symptom is fatigue despite a good routine. Fatigue can be caused by discomfort, stress, and chronic pain.
- Sharp or dull pain in the abdominal, lower back, and groin areas. The pain may be acute or dull.
- Painful bowel movements or urination may occur if the endometriosis has spread to these areas.
How to Get an Accurate Diagnosis
Please ask your doctor to arrange a ‘deep endometriosis’ ultrasound scan done by the experts at OMNI Ultrasound.
How Doctors Treat Endometriosis
Treatments for endometriosis vary depending on the stage, type, area affected, symptoms as well as your fertility plans. Your doctor is likely to use less invasive methods, to begin with, such as hormone therapies. Hormonal oral combined contraceptives or progestin therapy (Visanne or Mirena IUD) may help manage the pain accompanying endometriosis. If this doesn’t yield results or do not want to use hormonal therapies, doctors will opt for surgery such as a laparoscopy to physically remove the endometriosis.
Some people with endometriosis may not experience any symptoms at all. If you suspect you may have endometriosis, it is essential to speak with a healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis. Doctors at specialist healthcare centres, such as Sydney Endometriosis, have intimate knowledge and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating endometriosis; these specialists are best equipped to offer a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
