https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0 The disease that hurts women, quietly. en-us 2016-11-28 06:23:50 UTC 2024-04-12 13:26:44 UTC hello@padlet.com duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140715549 2016-11-30 05:56:19 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140715549 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140715605 Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. The cells will attach themselves to parts such as the muscle wall or the bladder. When a women starts her cycle, the cells outside of the uterus also have their period. ]]> 2016-11-30 05:57:16 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140715605 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140716364 2016-11-30 06:08:47 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140716364 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140717340 2016-11-30 06:25:41 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140717340 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140717458 Lara Parker writes about what dating with a disease that causes pain with intercourse is like.]]> 2016-11-30 06:27:28 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140717458 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140718062 2016-11-30 06:34:55 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140718062 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140718944

]]> 2016-11-30 06:45:26 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140718944 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719021

]]> 2016-11-30 06:46:23 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719021 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719079

]]> 2016-11-30 06:47:14 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719079 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719149

]]> 2016-11-30 06:48:18 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719149 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719414 The only way to formally diagnose endometriosis is to have a laparoscopic surgery. This involves a small capsule like camera being inserted through the naval and into the surrounding area of the uterus. The endometrial cells are so small that an ultrasound cannot detect the cells. ]]> 2016-11-30 06:51:50 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719414 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719561 This is a strain of endometriosis. Adenomyosis is when the lining of the uterus grows into the muscle wall surrounding the uterus. It can be detected with an ultrasound and is common within women who have endometriosis. However, not all women who have adenomyosis have endometriosis. Symptoms include 

• Heavy or prolonged menstrual bleeding
• Severe cramping or sharp, knifelike pelvic pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
• Menstrual cramps that last throughout your period and worsen as you get older
• Pain during intercourse
• Blood clots that pass during your period

]]> 2016-11-30 06:53:54 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140719561 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140720473

Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before your period and extend several days into your period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.

Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.

Pain with bowel movements or urination. You're most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.

Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).

Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.

Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

]]> 2016-11-30 07:05:33 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140720473 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140720579 The exact cause is unknown. However there are many theories such as

• Retrograde menstruation. In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. These displaced endometrial cells stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed over the course of each menstrual cycle.
• Transformation of peritoneal cells. In what's known as the "induction theory," experts propose that hormones or immune factors promote transformation of peritoneal cells — cells that line the inner side of your abdomen — into endometrial cells.
• Embryonic cell transformation. Hormones such as estrogen may transform embryonic cells — cells in the earliest stages of development — into endometrial cell implants during puberty.
• Surgical scar implantation. After a surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
• Endometrial cells transport. The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
• Immune system disorder. It's possible that a problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial tissue that's growing outside the uterus.

]]> 2016-11-30 07:06:44 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140720579 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140721043 Having a chronic disease that effects your day-to-day life changes everything. The way you see yourself and others around you. You carry a burden that nobody can see because they would never know unless you told. But with a condition like this one, you think to yourself "who really wants to hear about this". Being diagnosed with a disease such as endometriosis, can break a woman's heart. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:12:39 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140721043 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140722057 While endometriosis does effect hormones, which can cause mood swings, it can also effect mental health. Studies have shown that people who suffer from chronic pain have a higher risk of depression and anxiety. Not only that but the condition can hurt a person mentally as well. When a person is diagnosed with endometriosis, the doctor explains that having children (depending on the severity) may either be difficult to conceive, or will not happen at all. Whether or not a person wants children, having that option taken away from you, is devastating. It makes a person feel mortal. You wont live forever, and your legacy wont either, when you leave this earth a part of you wont be staying behind. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:21:40 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140722057 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140723118 While online support groups are easily accessed, person to person support is few and far between. A counsellor is always an option, however group therapy is hard to come by. There are two places in Ontario currently hosting group support. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:28:35 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140723118 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140724021 As much as doctors tell patients not to research their symptoms online, WebMD helps people understand their condition in more depth. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:35:06 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140724021 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140725273 Cancer. Statistics have shown that women who are diagnosed with endometriosis have higher rates of being diagnosed with cancers such as, ovarian, uterine, or breast.]]> 2016-11-30 07:42:38 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140725273 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726255 That 1 in 10 women world wide are diagnosed with this condition, and many of these women are not able to access resources and health care needed in order to properly treat this condition. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:50:01 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726255 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726453 Women in third world countries, and even homeless women in Canada, do not have access to items that could help menstration greatly. Whether those items include over the counter pain killers, tampons, or pads. There are women who do not have these products. Having a period is hard enough without these items, no less with endometriosis]]> 2016-11-30 07:51:29 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726453 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726873 There are organizations who are able to get products to women with endometriosis. However, in third world countries, women may not even have the opportunity to be diagnosed with endometriosis. This is why it is important for women to stand together as one, globally to raise awareness of a condition such as this one. ]]> 2016-11-30 07:54:23 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140726873 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140727722 I first noticed problems with my period when I was 14. I was having heavy and long periods. My doctor explained that it was just my body getting used to a period and would adjust itself as my hormones relaxed. I got my first period when I was 10 at my grandmothers house. I was mortified, seeing blood in an area that was not spoken about, made me think my insides were collapsing and falling out of me. My parents soon explained everything that was happening, and it hurt to see that I was dealing with an issue so young, while many of my peers would not have an issue like this one until their teens. In 2014 my period started to become unbearable. I saw my family doctor who said if it gets any worse come back, for now take an advil or tylenol and use a heating pad. In 2015 I saw her again and it was not until July when I had my first ultrasound. They spotted multiple fibriods and ovarian cysts but did not pursue them. My doctor prescribed me an oral contraceptive and I continued my day to day life. In July of 2016 I went in for a check up ultrasound where they decided to do an internal ultrasound as well. A week later I was diagnosed with adenomyosis. I was then given a referral to a gynaecologist who asked me many questions about my lifestyle. He chose not to give me the laparoscopic surgery because of other complications. In simple terms he said "if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, I shall assume it is a duck". He put me on a medication called Visanne which essentially tricks the body into thinking that it is pregnant. Pregnancy stops menstruation all together and is supposed to kill endometrial cells. I will be on this medication for two years, then the doctors will evaluate my situation and if it has not improved, then I will go into a laparoscopic surgery. However all of these treatments are not permanent. The endometrial cells will continuously grow even after cauterisation. The only permanent solution is a full hysterectomy. At 18 years of age, I do not want to even consider a surgery that will alter my body forever. ]]> 2016-11-30 08:00:31 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140727722 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140729996 Dealing with a chronic disease is a hard battle. Dealing with a chronic disease without accessible healthcare is unthinkable. However for some, is a reality. There are multiple ways to deal with endometriosis, such as diet changes, oral contraceptives, laparoscopic surgery, and hormone therapy. Without the medical access to these options, women suffer in silence. There is minimal research on endometriosis, especially on the effects it has on women in poor countries. This may have to do with 
1) The disease not being deathly
2) Men run the world,  they have other, more serious diseases to be concerned with
3) Not effecting enough of the population to be a major issue ]]> 2016-11-30 08:17:33 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140729996 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140730292 2016-11-30 08:19:15 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140730292 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140731626 2016-11-30 08:26:26 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140731626 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140731804 Endometriosis can be seen as a disability. However, it is still a very unknown condition. I believe that when more women start to speak out about their experience, those being diagnosed with it now, will not feel so alienated by it.  ]]> 2016-11-30 08:27:24 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140731804 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140735639 2016-11-30 08:49:37 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140735639 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140739661 2016-11-30 09:15:07 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140739661 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740644 2016-11-30 09:20:40 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740644 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740714 2016-11-30 09:21:04 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740714 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740801 2016-11-30 09:21:32 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740801 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740924 2016-11-30 09:22:09 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140740924 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741050 2016-11-30 09:22:51 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741050 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741182 2016-11-30 09:23:31 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741182 duncan_elyse13 https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741375 2016-11-30 09:24:33 UTC https://padlet.com/duncan_elyse13/hzs3pijkeje0/wish/140741375