After I opened up about my condition, so many people have shown me support : thank you, it means the world to me. To further continue the conversation and raise awareness about this “invisible” condition, I have decided to put together the key facts you need to know about endometriosis.
1. Endometriosis affects 1 out of 10 women during their reproductive years.
This equals approximately 176 million women in the world.
2. It’s more than period pain.
The endometrium, the layer of tissue that normally covers the inside of the uterus, grows outside of it, usually expanding into your ovaries, tubes and nearby tissues (but it has also been found in other parts of the body, such as lungs). This causes great pelvic pain during/before periods, and sometimes also during intercourse.
3. It is a major cause of infertility (but there is hope).
Endometriosis may be found in up to 50% of women with infertility. The cysts, inflammation, and adhesions we were mentioning before, create an inhospitable environment for pregnancy. At the same time, endometriosis does not equal infertility: if diagnosed and treated, it is possible for you to have children!
4. It is diagnosed after 6 to 10 years on average.
There is a consistent delay in diagnosis since the first symptoms, and it is also suspected that many women never get diagnosed in their entire life.
5. There is no cure for endometriosis (but it can be treated).
I know, this is a lot to take in. Unfortunately, as of now there is no known cure for endometriosis, and this is why it is important to support research. While the symptoms of endometriosis can be treated with medical therapy (e.g., hormonal), and surgery (with a laparoscopy that removes cysts, pelvic adhesions, and so on, caused by endometriosis), the condition itself will stick with you for the rest of your life. This means that after your laparoscopy or once you pause your hormone therapy, endometriosis will likely come back to create new cysts, scars, and pain. Hysterectomy (the surgical removal of your uterus) is thought to be a cure for endometriosis: unfortunately, this is a false myth, as it does not cure the disease and there is the risk of endometrial tissue to grow again after the hysterectomy.
But there is hope. Being diagnosed with endometriosis was one the best moments of my life.
The delay in understanding that you have indeed endometriosis is the crux of the issue: once you know you have it, you can manage it and your quality of life will increase dramatically. If you suffer from strong period pain, go see an OBGYN specialized in endometriosis. Spread the word with your friends and family, let’s normalize the conversation around menstruation and period cramps! To learn more on endometriosis visit www.endofound.org
*******************************************************************Read my story: Being diagnosed with endometriosis was one the best moments of my life
Learn more about endometriosis: Why does it take 8 years to diagnose endometriosis?
*******************************************************************I am not a doctor and the contents of this article are for informational purposes only, not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician/OBGYN with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
