Endometriosis symptoms can vary widely from person to person. This is one of the main reasons why it is so difficult to diagnose.
On average, patients with endometriosis experience a delay in diagnosis of 10 years. Our healthcare team at HerMD is on a mission to end the delays in diagnosis for our patients.
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What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the inside lining of the uterus is present outside of the uterus, such as in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, nearby organs, and/or on the pelvic tissues surrounding the uterus. These tissues can thicken, break down, and shed, but because there is no way for them to leave the body, they cause bleeding and inflammation within the pelvis. This leads to swelling and the development of scar tissue inside the pelvic area or between the pelvic tissues and organs.
Endometriosis is common
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 10 percent of girls and women are affected by endometriosis worldwide, which equates to approximately 190 million people.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis can cause a wide variety of symptoms in some patients, but many do not experience any symptoms at all.
In symptomatic patients, common symptoms associated with endometriosis include:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Pain with menstruation
- Pain with sexual intercourse
- Painful bowel movements
- Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles
Certain factors may increase the risk of endometriosis
- Nulliparity
- Early onset of periods
- Short frequent menstrual cycles
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Family history, especially with a mother or sister. If your mother or sister has endometriosis, you have a 7x higher risk of developing endometriosis.
What can I expect from a consultation for endometriosis?
During your visit, you can expect your care team to listen to and address all of your concerns in a safe and trusted space. A consultation for endometriosis may include:
- A history and physical examination
- Labs
- Imaging
Can endometriosis be treated?
When endometriosis causes symptoms, treatment with certain medications and/or surgery can help to alleviate symptoms. Endometriosis may lead to infertility. Treatments will vary depending on the severity of symptoms and an individual’s desire to have children.
Medication treatment options can include:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, to manage endometriosis-related pelvic pain
- Oral contraceptives, to regulate the menstrual cycle and to manage endometriosis-related pelvic pain
- GnRH analog, to manage endometriosis
- Oriahnn
- Myfembree
Surgical treatment options can include:
- Diagnostic laparoscopy
- Operative laparoscopy (ablative/excisional)
- Other surgical interventions when warranted
Endometriosis is a chronic disorder that occurs when tissue similar to the inside lining of the uterus is present outside of the uterus.
The most common symptoms of endometriosis include:
– Chronic pelvic pain
– Pain with menstruation
– Pain with sexual intercourse
– Painful bowel movements
– Heavy or irregular menstrual cycles
Other symptoms can include fatigue, anxiety or depression, abdominal bloating, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, and infertility.
The common treatments for endometriosis include medical and surgical options. Medical options can include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, oral contraceptives, and GnRH analogs. Surgical treatment options can include diagnostic laparoscopy, operative laparoscopy (ablative/excisional), and other surgical interventions when warranted.
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