Is that Pain Endometriosis or Menstruation?
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Endometriosis is a disorder in which the tissue that lines the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis.
Symptoms often begin during your teenage years or in your early 20s. They may become worse over time. Symptoms may be constant or cyclical. Many women with mild endometriosis don't have any signs or symptoms.
In general, endometriosis is commonly associated with pain. This is because displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves your ovaries, cysts called chocolate cysts 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.
Signs and symptoms include:
- Pelvic or lower abdominal pain – This usually begins around the time of your period and improves when it ends. The amount of pain you experience doesn't necessarily reflect the stage or severity of endometriosis.
- Dysmenorrhea – Painful periods.
- Dyspareunia – Pain during sex.
- Dyschezia – Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstruation.
- Bowel and bladder symptoms – You may experience diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or urinary urgency and frequency during menstruation. These symptoms are more likely if endometriosis affects tissues near these organs.
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding.
- Infertility – About 30 to 40 per cent of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant.
If you're experiencing any pelvic pain coupled with one or more of these other symptoms for more than a few months, see your doctor to find out if you have endometriosis.
You can also check out our article on Misconceptions About Endometriosis.
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