Have you considered Endometriosis?
What is endometriosis?
While endometriosis still requires a lot more research and understanding, Endometriosis in basic terms, is when tissue that is similar to the lining of the uterus occurs outside the uterus and causes extreme pain and/or infertility. This layer is called the endometrium and this is the layer that builds and sheds each month with menstruation or where a pregnancy will attach and grow (171) (172). These lesions are most commonly found in the abdominopelvic cavity, on structures like the bowel, bladder and ovaries, but they can also be found outside this cavity, on structures such as the lungs, nasal cavity and lower limbs (173)(171)! These lesions can grow and become inflamed contributing to scar tissue and adhesions (172) (174). Often these lesions produce a large amount of pain, and pelvis pain that isn’t always associated with menstruation is a common symptoms of endometriosis.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
Endometriosis has a few key characteristics, and one of them is significant amounts of pain, that doesn’t always have to correlate with your period. People with endo may have any of the following:
o Fatigue
o Pain on or around ovulation
o Pan on or around the time of your period (dysmenorrhea)
o Pain during or after sex (dyspareunia)
o Pain with bowel movements (dyschezia)
o Pain when you urinate (dysuria)
o Pain in your pelvic region, lower back and leg
o Having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go frequently
o Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding.
o Digestion issues
o Bleeding between periods
How to ask for help?
If any of this is sounding similar to what you or a friend/family member/client are experiencing then a visit to a trusted and knowledgeable GP is the first step.
Endometriosis can only be diagnosed with laparoscopic surgery, so a referral to a gynaecologist who specialises in endometriosis excision surgery is KEY to successful diagnosis and management.
Don't let any GP tell you that your pain is normal or that the pill is the answer to your pain.
Heres some tips about how to talk to your care provider if you aren't getting the tests, referrals or care you deserve.
Ive been doing some research and have heard that my symptoms of ____ are very similar to that of someone with endometriosis, have you considered this?
I have read that the only way to diagnose endometriosis is via laparoscopic surgery, do you think this could be an option for me?
I have heard that normal period pain shouldn't require me to take days of work/school, i would like further investigations about weather this could be something more serious? Have you considered endometriosis for me?
I have been on the pill for a while now and i remember that i was initially put on it for painful periods, I've been thinking about coming off it, will you support me with finding a reason for my period pain if i decide that the pill is no longer for me?
If they suggest the pill when you disclose about pain: I know that in some cases the pill can assist with period pain, but i would love to know WHY I'm getting the pain in the first place as i know that when i decide i want to come off the pill in the future it is likely my pain will return. Could we please investigate my pain further, have you considered endometriosis for me?
