9 IMPORTANT Things Everyone Should Know About Endometriosis

To speak of endometriosis is to put on the table a silent disease that still lives in the shadows and in the recesses of that social ignorance, where terms and ideas are confused and false myths and stereotypes are used and abused.

Endometriosis is not just a painful period. We are facing an inflammatory disease in which endometrial tissue develops outside the uterus.

These clumps of tissue can arise in the peritoneum, ovaries, intestines, or even the bladder. Furthermore, there are cases where it can reach other organs such as the lungs.

Women living with this disease know that it is not easy to cope with this medical condition about which not much is known yet. 

Contraceptive treatment can help slow or regulate endometriosis.

Nevertheless,  in many cases there is no choice but to undergo complex surgical procedures and to treatments with which to stop the attack of the immune system itself where the tissue grows in an abnormal and painful way.

It is therefore necessary that there be greater social awareness of this disease, as well as a greater investment of economic, health and assistance resources.

We cannot forget that many women are forced to request constant leave from their jobs, and to need different supports to have an adequate quality of life.

Today in our space we propose you to reflect on 9 endometriosis facts that we should all know, both men and women.

 1. Endometriosis is not easily diagnosed

There are many women who go through a whole journey of visits to doctors and gynecologists without knowing the reason for their pain, their discomfort, their excessive bleeding, their abnormal cycles or even their infertility.

• These symptoms can begin as early as the first menstruation in adolescence.
• The only ways to diagnose endometriosis are pelvic laparoscopy or transvaginal ultrasound.

2. Very varied symptoms

Endometriosis is not only characterized by painful menstrual periods or infertility. Other associated symptoms are:

• Painful ovulation
• Pain during or after intercourse
• Abnormal bleeding
• Chronic pelvic pain
• Fatigue

3. No, endometriosis is not synonymous with infertility

This is important to many women who have just been diagnosed with endometriosis.

Having this disease does not mean that the chances of being mothers are zero.

Between 30% and 40% of women with endometriosis will not be able to have children naturally, but with current assisted reproductive techniques there is a better chance of achieving this. 

4. One in ten women suffers from endometriosis

From the Association of Endometriosis Affected (ADAEC) they offer us multiple information about this disease that affects one in 10 women.

It is known that we are facing a chronic pathology of still unknown causes. For example, it has been shown that there is a certain genetic predisposition.

Among the clues that can trigger the onset of endometriosis are the following characteristics:

• Early first menstruation
• Regular but very short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days)
• Periods of more than a week
• Late menopause

5. Is it an inflammatory or autoimmune disease?

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease that affects the immune system, but even so, doctors say that we are not facing an autoimmune disease.

6. Not all women experience it in the same way

Endometriosis affects each woman in a different way. This means, first of all, that the same treatment will not serve all patients equally.

There are women who do not have excessive problems in their day to day. Others, on the other hand, even need a catheter to be able to urinate without pain, others have to use crutches because they can barely walk …

7. Hormone treatments help, but they are not the solution in all cases

Endometriosis needs the presence of estrogen to trigger this abnormal tissue growth.

Hormonal treatments that slow or stop estrogen production therefore help. Hence, the progestin oral contraceptive pill is generally the most frequently used treatment.

8. Endometriosis intensifies if we lead a sedentary life

If we have been diagnosed with this disease it is necessary that we avoid sedentary lifestyle.

We know that when you suffer from chronic pain it is very difficult to leave the house, go to the gym, go for a walk … However, the symptoms intensify if we do not move.

9. Misunderstanding the environment also hurts

“She always misses work, she has a lot of stories”, “she is always complaining, it seems that it is made of glass, everything hurts her”, “she is weak, she is always tired, I don’t know what she thinks when maintaining such a defeatist attitude ”.

• These are usually the most common comments that many women who suffer from endometriosis hear in their environment.
• To this are added, on occasions, relationship problems, and the pain that some experience during sexual intercourse.
• We are therefore facing a very complex disease where, to the limitation and physical suffering, social problems, ignorance or even rejection are added.

Greater visibility is needed against this disease. Greater understanding and, above all, respect, sensitivity and good psychosocial support so that the disease is not associated with loneliness, rejection.