Every month, millions of women around the world experience the physical and emotional discomfort of menstruation. While some women may experience mild cramps and mood swings, bloating, and cramps, others suffer from severe pain and debilitating symptoms caused by conditions like endometriosis.
Wondering what endometriosis is? This is a chronic condition that affects the female reproductive system. It occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, called endometrium. This misplaced endometrial tissue can lead to severe pelvic pain, inflammation, heavy bleeding, and even infertility. This condition can affect any woman of reproductive age, from the onset of their first period (menarche) through menopause.
The symptoms of endometriosis may vary from woman to woman; the most common symptom of this condition is said to be pelvic pain. If you face such an issue or you know someone going through the same, check out some other signs that one should look out for and not ignore:
1. Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
One of the most common indicators of endometriosis is severe pelvic pain. The menstruation is usually marked with severe pain and cramps in the lower back and abdomen area. This pain may start a few days before you get your period and last throughout the period. But if you suffer from severe pain during menstruation or chronic pelvic pain throughout the month, it’s important to seek immediate medical help from your healthcare provider.
2. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding
Another symptom of endometriosis is heavy bleeding or menorrhagia during menstruation. If you are required to change sanitary pads frequently during periods or experience heavy clotting or unexpected bleeding between periods (intermenstrual bleeding), you must consult your doctor immediately.
3. Digestive Problems
Endometriosis is said to be associated with irritable bowel disease (IBD). Constipation, diarrhea, nausea, and bloating are a few gastrointestinal symptoms that you may face during menstrual periods. These gastrointestinal issues can often be mistaken for other digestive disorders, which sometimes delays a proper diagnosis and effective management.
4. Fatigue
Women who have endometriosis often feel extremely tired or weak, especially during the menstrual period. This persistent pain and emotional toll can be a symptom of endometriosis and can leave women feeling drained, impacting their work and social lives. The heavy bleeding during this time can cause iron deficiency and anemia which also leads to chronic fatigue. If you feel the same, it’s important to acknowledge and visit the doctor to know if it is a sign of a serious condition.
5. Painful Sexual Intercourse
If you feel pain in the lower abdomen area during and after intercourse, it is a common symptom of endometriosis. Talking about this is considered taboo, and women usually avoid having this conversation with their healthcare providers. But if they experience this pain, they should be encouraged to consult their gynaecologist.
6. Infertility
While mild endometriosis does not necessarily result in infertility, the disorder can also lead to infertility in approximately 30-40 percent of those diagnosed. The tissue growth can hinder the path of the egg, or the inflammation could create an adverse environment for conception, leading to complications in getting pregnant. With time, the difficulty in conceiving can be a source of distress and frustration; hence it is important to seek support from healthcare professionals.
