Endometriosis Resources
Endometriosis is a systemic disease that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is found elsewhere in the body, most commonly in the pelvic structure. Endometriosis has been found on every organ in the body except for the spleen. Yes, that means it has been found in the brain and lungs! Endometriosis causes severe pain, bowel, bladder and other organ dysfunction, inflammation, scarring and adhesions, and in about 50% of patients, infertility. While we do not know the true cause yet, theories include genetics, auto-immune, environmental toxins, stem cells and blood & lymph system distribution.
While some people may have all of these symptoms, many have only a few or symptoms that change depending on the time of the month. Some people may have no symptoms at all until they have trouble getting pregnant. The stage of disease does not determine the level or pain or symptoms a person experiences.
For some people symptoms do not flare up unless they are dealing with a cyclical time like their period or ovulation.
Endometriosis is not a one size fits all disease. Different symptoms appear in different people.
Symptoms include:
Chronic pelvic pain
Pelvic pain that gets worse after sex or a pelvic exam
Abdominopelvic pain apart from menses
Chronically heavy or long periods
Normal bleeding time is 3 to 5 days
Bowel or urinary disorders, often associated with periods
Frequency, Urgency, Pain with full bladder, during urination, and after relieving your bladder (most commonly noted during cyclical times like your period and ovulation)
Painful sexual activity, particularly with penetration
Significant lower back pain with or without menses
Nausea, vomiting
Diarrhea, constipation
Fatigue
Migraines
Brain fog
Infertility
Allergies
Crippling menstrual pain
Pain in your hips and down into your legs (Sciatica)
Catamenial pneumothorax (with lung endometriosis)
Diagnosis
On average it takes 7-10 years to be diagnosed and 9 different doctors. Endometriosis can not be confirmed by imaging (x-rays, ultrasounds, MRIS, CATscans) or blood tests. It can only be diagnosed by laparoscopic surgery once a doctor receives confirmation from pathology. Gender bias, misinformation and lack of non-invasive diagnostic tools only add to the delay in diagnoses.
What is a laparoscopy? - an operation in which a camera (a laparoscope) is inserted into the pelvis via a small cut near the navel. The surgeon uses the camera to see the pelvic organs and look for any signs of endometriosis. If endometriosis is diagnosed, the endometriosis may be treated or removed for further examination during the laparoscopy.
