Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside the womb, usually around the pelvis, ovaries and fallopian tubes. Every month this tissue thickens and breaks down like a normal period, but because it has no way to leave the body, it causes pain, inflammation and sometimes scarring.
The symptoms to look for
- Very painful periods that are worse than normal cramping
- Heavy bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when going to the toilet, especially around your period
- Difficulty falling pregnant
Why it often takes years to diagnose
Period pain is often brushed off as normal, both by women themselves and sometimes by doctors. That is one reason endometriosis is usually only picked up seven to ten years after symptoms start. If your periods stop you from working, studying or living normally, that level of pain is not something you just have to put up with.
How it is diagnosed
The only way to confirm endometriosis for certain is a laparoscopy, a small operation where a camera looks inside the pelvis. A gynaecologist may first do a scan and a pelvic exam, but the camera is what gives a definite answer.
It can be treated
Endometriosis is a long-term condition, but it is manageable. Treatment ranges from pain relief and hormonal medication to surgery that removes the tissue. The right option depends on your age, your symptoms and whether you want to fall pregnant, so it needs a gynaecologist who knows the condition.
Find a gynaecologist near you if your periods are painful enough to disrupt your life.