Did you know that March is Endometriosis Month?
It has been estimated that 1 in 10 women in their reproductive years has endometriosis.
This could mean up to 6.5 million women in the US alone are currently living with endometriosis.
Because of this, I wanted to take a bit of time to give you a better idea of what Endometriosis is.
When one has endometriosis, cells that are similar to the cells that line the inside of uterus (called the endometrium) are found outside of the uterus in other areas inside of your body. These cells are often found attached to pelvic organs, but they can also make their way up into the abdominal cavity, as far up as the respiratory diaphragm, and it has even been found on the lungs. 
According to the Mayo Clinic, “With endometriosis, the endometrial-like tissue acts as endometrial tissue would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But because this tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal bands of fibrous tissue that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other.”
Endometriosis can cause pain to varying degrees but is usually worse during the premenstrual and menstrual periods. In my experience with patients we have treated, the pain can be quite debilitating and truly life-altering.
Common signs and symptoms Include:
- Irregular periods (sometimes longer periods of 7 or more days and can be quite heavy, needing to change pads/tampons every 1-2 hours)
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods (can be in the lower abdomen, pelvis or back and is not easily relieved by NSAIDS)
- Painful intercourse
- Infertility (according to endofound.org, studies have shown that endometriosis is linked to 1 in 3 cases of infertility)
- Neuropathy (if endometrial tissue implants on the nerves going down to the legs)
- Fatigue and personality changes (years of chronic pain can affect us is so many ways)
- Bowel and bladder disorders (if endometrial tissue implants on the digestive tract, bowels, or bladder)
In my next blog post, I will dive a bit deeper into endometriosis and why it is so important to shed more light on this diagnosis and those who may be dealing with this as a part of their pain without knowing it.
In Kindness,
Jen