---

 

I am writing this blog as it has been on my mind since I have seen so many of my friends go through the ordeal of pain and taking time off from school. The negativity of Endometriosis pain can easily bog you down.

Here a few facts you need to know:

·         First thing to know that you are not alone. 1 in 10 women have endometriosis.

·         Second important is know that it is a condition not a disease or infection. You have done nothing wrong to get it.

·         Once you know you are having endometriosis, it is easier to understand and cope up with the symptoms and help other women understand the illness in a better way and be a part of chain to help other women in similar situations.

·         Your experience can be a great support for someone else.

·         Raising awareness is the first step towards respecting the women who have the condition.

·         Asking more questions about your own symptoms and seeking help (as and when needed) will make sooner diagnosis possible.

Endometriosis is a condition when the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. As the lining is shed with every menstrual cycle, the outside lining just grows and doesn’t have anywhere to shed out, hence forms new spots every time and irritates the inside. Depending upon where the lining is growing the symptoms can change.

Endometriosis doesn’t follow the same pattern of symptoms in all patients. Some patients can have severe endometriosis and no pain; they are aware of the endometriosis only because of investigations for infertility were carried out. Most of the patients would suffer from severe pain though.

WHY IS IT INVISIBLE?

Because pain is the most common symptom, without any visible appurtenance of condition other than pain, it is rare to identify a patient with endometriosis. Ultrasound, MRI, CT scan are not the definitive tools to diagnose endometriosis.

EMOTIONAL IMPACT

Every aspect of life is affected by endometriosis. Patients may have to increase their pain threshold or be dependent on the medications for pain relief, which come with their own side effects.

Woman’s ability to work and simply enjoy life gets challenging. Endometriosis can also cause pain with sexual intercourse and hence affect a healthy relationship. Endometriosis can also affect the ability to have a baby. The weight of living with Endometriosis can lead to depression in some patients. However, the good news is that treatment is available.

……More coming up re diagnosis and treatment in my next blog.

 

Written by Gyneacologist Dr. Mrs Sneha Joshi