{"id":2327,"date":"2022-06-30T09:09:32","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T09:09:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/5c94728ac9.nxcli.io\/en\/?p=2327"},"modified":"2022-07-29T14:25:04","modified_gmt":"2022-07-29T14:25:04","slug":"endometriosis-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.femfresh.eu\/en\/expert-advice\/endometriosis-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Endometriosis Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Endometriosis Awareness Month<\/h1>
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Endometriosis\u2026 a complex condition that can be quite confusing to get your head around. It affects as many as 1 in 10 women, and is most certainly under-diagnosed because the symptoms can sometimes be vague and disguised as other common gynae problems, or even common digestive conditions such as IBS. Stats show it can take an average of 7.5 years to get a formal diagnosis, with women presenting to their GP up to 10 times.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>


\nWhat is endometriosis?<\/strong>
\nEndometriosis is a gynaecological condition where tissue like the lining of the womb (called the endometrium) grows outside of the womb (also known as uterus), usually in the pelvis around the womb, ovaries and fallopian tubes. It\u2019s a chronic condition meaning it can\u2019t usually be cured, and can affect physical health (symptoms such as pain), sexual and psychological wellbeing, having a huge impact on a woman\u2019s life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

Symptoms<\/strong>
\nThe symptoms can be vague and there isn\u2019t a simple test to pick it up, which is why endometriosis often takes a long time to diagnose correctly.<\/p>\n

It can cause pelvic pain and painful, sometimes irregular periods. It can also cause pain during sex. Often the most debilitating symptoms is the pain \u2013 which occurs in a regular pattern, with the pain getting worse just before and during your period. This is because, just like regular endometrial issue inside the womb, the endometrial-like tissue outside the womb also responds to hormonal changes, resulting in a period. So, the endometrial-like tissue, located outside of the womb also bleeds which can cause pain, inflammation and scarring which can sometimes lead to fertility issues.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

What causes endometriosis?<\/strong>
\nThe exact cause of endometriosis is not known, which can be frustrating for women who suffer from it. It does tend to run in families and is more common in certain ethnic groups.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

Treatment <\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s important if you notice any symptoms that aren\u2019t quite right such as change in your periods, irregular or painful periods, pain during sex or pelvic pain that you seek advice from your doctor, who will likely do an internal examination and may refer you to gynaecology for some further tests such as an ultrasound scan. There are treatments available including pain relief, hormonal treatments such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, the Mirena IUS or contraceptive injection. These work as the hormone progesterone can inhibit ovulation, and therefore reduce the hormones that would cause the endometrial-like tissue to grow, and make periods lighter or stop them completely. There are other hormonal treatments available too. More definitive treatments include surgery to remove the endometrial-like tissue from the areas outside of the womb.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

Lots of women really suffer psychologically with endometriosis as it can cause chronic pain and pain during sex, so seeking some support for the emotional strain of the condition such as talking therapies might be beneficial.<\/p>\n

If you think you may be suffering some of these symptoms then please do reach out to your own doctor<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

References:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.rcog.org.uk\/en\/patients\/patient-leaflets\/endometriosis\/<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.endometriosis-uk.org<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.nhs.uk\/conditions\/endometriosis\/<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

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more expert advice<\/h2>
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Physical Health – Activity & Nutrition<\/a><\/h3><\/span><\/header><\/div>