March marks Endometriosis Awareness Month and in the UK, around one in 10 people assigned female at birth currently suffer with disease and some may not be aware they have it.
According to experts at Endometriosis UK, this accounts for approximately 1.5 million people - similar to the number affected by diabetes or asthma - yet when compared, it is largely unheard.
Many people visiting their GPs will be told their painful and heavy periods are 'all part of being a woman' and growing up with many being offered advice to take tablets, grab a a hot water bottle or bath and to 'just get on with it'.
Sadly this is not enough and is part of the reason it takes, on average, eight years to diagnose in Scotland.
Because of this, and during what many are now calling 'action month', people are being urged to not take this solution and to instead, ask to be investigated for endometriosis.
With the action month now well underway, we wanted to raise awareness of the debilitating condition.
So here's what you need to know about endometriosis and where you can get help...
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis - often shortened to 'endo' - is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows outside of it.
Endometriosis UK explain: "Each month these cells react in the same way to those in the womb, building up and then breaking down and bleeding. Unlike the cells in the womb that leave the body as a period, this blood has no way to escape.
"In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned female at birth are currently living with the condition, regardless of race or ethnicity. Endometriosis can affect you from puberty to menopause, although the impact may be felt for life."
Is there a cure for endometriosis?
No.
Birth control is not a cure, nor are hormonal pills of any kind. In addition, a hysterectomy is also not a cure as by its definition endometriosis grows outside of the womb. Endo cells can also spread elsewhere throughout the body causing pain that may occur when you are not on your period.
There are many ways to treat endo and it all varies from person to person. You can visit this site to see your options to treat your endo.
You may get this confused with adenomyosis - a condition in which the lining of the womb (endometrium - not endometriosis) grows into the muscle wall of the womb - the myometrium. For this, the cure is to have a hysterectomy.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
There are many symptoms and it all varies depending on where endo grows within the body.
Some of the main symptoms include:
- Period pain that stops you doing normal activities
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements
- Pain when urinating
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Fatigue
- Heavy periods
- Abdominal pain outside your period
- Nausea
- Brain Fog
Please note you can have endometriosis without having any symptoms - some people only find out after they are investigating the cause for their infertility - another symptom.
How do you diagnose endometriosis?
It should be made clear to patients who suspect endometriosis that 'normal' ultrasounds, MRIs, smears, examinations and blood tests do not exclude endo and people should still ask about the diagnosis even if their scans are clear.
The golden standard for a diagnosis is laparoscopic surgery by a specialist who will be trained to spot any abnormalities.
During surgery, 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.
Endometriosis UK stats that "sharing as much information as possible during your first appointment will hopefully help speed up your diagnosis. It is recommended to keep a pain and symptoms diary, where you can record and describe pain as it happens, so that your doctor has the fullest picture possible."
You can read more about how to get a diagnosis here.
Where to get support for endometriosis if you live in Glasgow
There is an official Endometriosis UK support group for people living in Glasgow.
You can find out more information about them here - and join their Facebook group here.
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