Endometriosis Unveiled: Confronting the Silent Pain
- Dr. Fedinand Getankwa
- Jan 7, 2025
- 4 min read
We live in a world where we seek to justify our situations when we do not have the answers to the questions we have about them. For instance, we may say painful periods are normal, but are they though? I am too young to have endometriosis, it can’t be it! Are you though? Menses are usually accompanied with cramping pain but extreme debilitating pain suggests otherwise and is consistent with endometriosis. People can get endometriosis at any age. In fact, a recent survey found that women with endometriosis begin reporting symptoms when in their teens with 70% experiencing these features before they reach 20 years and 40% before 15 years.
So, what is endometriosis?
Simply put, endometriosis is a health condition where you have some of the tissue that lines the uterus lying outside the organ. This tissue is known as endometrial tissue and can grow outside the uterus in areas, such as behind the uterus in a space that is just next to the gut, in the bladder, in the umbilical region, in scarred areas, in the lungs, in the brain, etc. The tissue can grow anywhere in the body away from the uterus. One of the theories noted for this happening is that during menstruation, some of the menses’ tissue finds its way into the bloodstream from where it can spread and grow in other parts of the body. It is important to note that this tissue retains its functional ability. This means that it can respond to hormonal changes during the menstrual period just like the uterus. It undergoes bleeding each cycle and these changes lead to a state known as inflammation (the body’s immune reaction that can cause pain).
This means it is a naturally occurring abnormal body process. It affects up to 10% of women during their fertility period (between 15-45 years) with the highest cases between 30-40 years. I need us all to appreciate this situation so that we can support our girlfriends, daughters, wives, mothers, and friends.
Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis
Severe lower abdominal and pelvic pain during menses
Low back pain around menses
Deep pain during sexual intercourse
Pain during emptying of bowels
Endometriosis in distant sites can cause local symptoms, for example, chest pain and coughing blood during each cycle due to endometriosis in your lungs.
Severe fatigue
Infertility- inability to be pregnant despite regular unprotected sexual intercourse over a 12-month period.
Blood in urine during the menses period that may be associated with pain during urination.
Endometriosis and Subfertility
Endometriosis plays a big role in fertility chance with up to 30% of females with endometriosis complaining of difficulty in conceiving. Endometriosis tissue can grow in the ovaries, affecting their ability to produce ova. The pain associated with the cycle can also affect normal intimacy, psychologically affecting one’s ability to have normal ovulation as well as an inability to engage in productive sexual intercourse. Even so, having endometriosis does not mean it is the end of your ability to bear children because having the condition does not mean you have permanent infertility. Sometimes, one is only in a state known as subfertility, which with the right modifications of the condition through the right medical management, can regain their fertility again.
Let’s debunk some myths about endometriosis:
1. Abortion causes endometriosis.
There is no scientific evidence linking abortion and consequently developing endometriosis. Those who claim otherwise may be confusing “endometriosis” with “endometritis“.
2. Endometriosis “equals” infertility.
Many young women are led to believe that having endometriosis will inevitably result in infertility. However, this is not true, and the majority of women with endometriosis are able to have children. Studies show that 60–70% of women with endometriosis are fertile. Furthermore, about half the women who have difficulties with getting pregnant eventually conceive with or without treatment.
3. You can be too young to have endometriosis.
Many doctors still wrongly believe that endometriosis is uncommon in teenagers and young women. As a result, they often overlook the possibility of endometriosis when girls and young women report symptoms such as period pain, pelvic pain, and painful intercourse.
4. It’s NORMAL to have pain during your period so severe that it limits your life.
NO, it is really not.
5. Pregnancy CURES endometriosis.
NO, it does not. However, due to the hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone released during pregnancy, the state can trigger a temporary reduction in symptoms. However, many women suffering from endometriosis report continuing post-pregnancy problems.
Management Options
Diet- Anti-inflammatory foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish) are recommended. Reducing processed foods, trans fats, and red meat may also help.
Exercise- be more active. Cutting weight helps with endometriosis. It reduces inflammation and alleviates pain associated with endometriosis. Exercise also releases some happy hormonal substances called endorphins, which are natural pain relievers. Low-impact activities like walking, swimming, and yoga are generally recommended.
Medical management entails administration of analgesics (NSAIDs like ibuprofen). Hormonal therapy using combined oral contraceptives is helpful. Other hormonal options may be explored by your doctor.
Surgery to remove the endometriosis tissue may be explored if the other options fail.
In Summary
Endometriosis is real and one of its commonest symptoms is severe pain during menses.
Endometriosis can lower your fertility chances.
Endometriosis is a naturally occurring disease. We can’t blame the ladies in our lives for it. Instead, let us support them as they seek medical help.
Let’s join the movement to break the silence and empower those living with endometriosis.
Endometriosis is Real!
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