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Long-lasting pelvic pain

Heavy bleeding during menstrual periods

Bleeding between periods

Pain with urination or bowel movement

Fatigue

Nausea or bloating

Anxiety or depression

Infertility (around 50% of women with infertility have endometriosis)

Note: Most of these symptoms occur while a woman is having her period, but there are also women who don't experience any symptoms.

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An illustration of where endomertiosis can be found

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Endometrioses occurs when a tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, such as around the ovaries and fallopian tubes

Can last from a woman's first period until menopause

Affects women from all backgrounds

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Painful periods are a very common sign of endomertiosis

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It is estimated that endometriosis affects roughly 10% of females of reproductive age around the world. 

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Endometriosis can be detected through the use of pelvic imaging with an ultrasound

An MRI may be ordered for further mapping

A laparoscopy, where a small camera is inserted into the body during a surgical procedure, can be used as a definitive diagnosis

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While there is no definitive cure for endometriosis, there are treatment options to manage the complexity of the symptoms. These may include:

Simple pain relief medication

Contraceptive pills

Menopause inducing medications

Laparoscopy

Hysterectomy

Removal of the endometriosis

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Currently, experts can't pinpoint a clear cause for endometriosis. However, people with a family history of endometriosis are at a higher risk of developing the disease.

It is also speculated that retrograde periods, when menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes, may be another cause for this disease.

How the body responds to estrogen and progesterone can also be a factor.

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Treatment varies from person to person. It can often depend on whether or not that person is seeking pregnancy.

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Endometriosis cannot be avoided or prevented, but it's important to look for risk factors such as:

Infertility

Having menstrual periods at an early age

Menstrual cycles that are less than 27 day

Heavy periods that last over a week

Low BMI

Having a family member with endometriosis

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March is an opportunity to spread awarness about this disease and how it can impact women

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Endometriosis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. (2023, October 12). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656

Choosing not to treat endometriosis. (n.d.). The Royal Women’s Hospital. https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/periods/endometriosis/treating-endometriosis#:~:text=Endometriosis%20doesn’t%20always%20need,most%20will%20stay%20the%20same.

Endometriosis. (2023, March 24). https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/endometriosis#:~:text=Endometriosis%20is%20a%20disease%20in,period%20and%20last%20until%20menopause.

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Endometriosis. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/10857-endometriosis

Endometriosis - familydoctor.org. (2022, September 23). familydoctor.org. https://familydoctor.org/condition/endometriosis/