Endometriosis is a condition that affects 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth in the UK. Symptoms of the condition can often be debilitating, and as a result have a significant impact on a person's life and mental health.
Those who suffer from endometriosis can experience severe pain, especially during menstrual periods, while fertility problems also may develop for others.
It takes on average eight years for a diagnosis, and can often also lead to mental health issues including as depression and anxiety, as it often takes a toll on people’s relationships and work life.
READ MORE: ‘I was always yawning in the morning. The real reason left me speechless'
While there are treatments for the condition such as a surgery to cut away patches of endometriosis tissue or to remove part or all of the organs affected by endometriosis, there's currently no cure for endometriosis.
But what is endometriosis and how does it affect people?
Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to the ones lining the womb are found elsewhere in the body, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Each month these cells react to the menstrual cycle 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, which leads to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue (adhesions).
Around 1.5million people in the UK are affected by this, which is approximately 1 in 10 women and those assigned female at birth.
The condition is most active from puberty to menopause, although the impact can be felt for life.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Symptoms of the condition vary from person to person - some may be badly affected by it while others might not have any noticeable symptoms at all.
Chronic pelvic pain and painful periods that interfere with your everyday life can be symptoms of endometriosis.
This common, sometimes debilitating but often-ignored can impact all areas of life including mental health, career and relationships.
Common symptoms include:
- chronic pelvic pain;
- painful or heavy periods;
- pain during or after sex;
- painful bowel movements;
- pain when urinating;
- fatigue;
- difficulty getting pregnant
One of the main complications of endometriosis is difficulty getting pregnant or not being able to get pregnant at all, according to the NHS.
Surgery to remove endometriosis tissue can help improve your chances of getting pregnant, although there's no guarantee that you'll be able to get pregnant after treatment.
If I have symptoms of this condition - when should I see a GP?
Endometriosis can be a difficult condition to deal with, both physically and emotionally, so it is extremely important to go see a GP if symptoms are impacting your life.
From there, they will discuss your symptoms and may ask to examine your tummy and vagina.
If they think you have the condition, they may recommend treatments or refer you to a gynaecologist for some further tests, such as an ultrasound scan, MRI or laparoscopy.
A laparoscopy is where a surgeon passes a thin tube through a small cut in your tummy so they can see any patches of endometriosis tissue. It is the only way to be certain you have endometriosis.
Currently, it takes an average of eight years to get a diagnosis of endometriosis in the UK, without a diagnosis, treatments can't be accessed and the disease may progress.
While the taboo around menstrual health, and a lack of awareness of endometriosis, may contribute to this, Endometriosis UK believes that it is essential that NHS and Governments take action to ensure that healthcare practitioners recognise the symptoms, and that pathways and services are improved.
Endometriosis UK who have released new research to mark March as the beginning of Endometriosis Action Month, believe that while the taboo around menstrual health, and a lack of awareness of endometriosis, may contribute to a long wait in diagnosis, it is essential that NHS and Governments take action to ensure that healthcare practitioners recognise the symptoms, and that pathways and services are improved.
READ NEXT:
- The search for the mysterious 'bongo boy' who had sober ravers in Manchester 'vibing all night'
- Manchester favourite named one of the UK's top five gastropubs
- Fraudster fleeced her grandad out of £75,000 in 'unpleasant, mean and destructive' B&Q con
- Molly-Mae Hague suffers Bambi mishap before welcoming Tommy Fury home with sweet display
- Beauty fans say Boots £10 anti-ageing cream transforms skin SO quickly it's an instant 'filter in a bottle'
