No woman eagerly awaits “that time of the month.” Many of us suffer from mood swings, bloating, and muscle cramps, which are never good. However, for those with endometriosis, menstruation can be very difficult. For them, a normal period is anything but normal, as it is accompanied by painful cramps.
Endometriosis can be difficult to diagnose, especially since its symptoms often overlap with other conditions. It can also be confusing to figure out what’s going on in your body or whether your menstrual cycle is just a detour. What better way to identify the telltale signs than to consult with an expert?
Related: Adah Sharma reveals endometriosis diagnosis: Here are her common symptoms and challenges
What is endometriosis?
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According to the Merck Manual, approximately 6 to 10 percent of women have endometriosis. Explaining what endometriosis is, Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynecologist, obstetrician-gynecologist and IVF specialist, Nurture IVF Clinic, New Delhi, says, “During a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, builds up and then sheds on its own. Endometriosis causes the uterine lining to grow outside the uterus, around the ovaries or under the uterus, in a place called the posterior cul-de-sac. There is minor bleeding in the pelvis as the lining of the pelvis contracts and erodes. This causes inflammation, discomfort, swelling and scarring.
Dr. Bajaj continued, “If you think you have endometriosis, you are not alone. It is a common disorder that affects one in ten women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB) worldwide.
Signs that your painful period is actually endometriosis
Speaking to the OnlyMyHealth team, our expert Dr. Bajaj shared these five symptoms that can help identify painful periods as a potential sign of endometriosis, explaining each one to our readers. These symptoms can also help you determine if your menstrual cramps have progressed to endometriosis.
Painful periods
Most of us experience cramps during our menstrual cycle, but women with endometriosis often experience excruciating pain that prevents them from working or caring for themselves or their family. It is common to have mild pain during menstruation, but pain that prevents a woman from performing her daily tasks is not normal and should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.
In addition, it may be accompanied by stomach or back pain during or between periods. Endometriosis is also characterized by heavy bleeding during menstruation and spotting (light bleeding) between cycles.
Painful intercourse
This common condition, also known as dyspareunia, can be caused by endometriosis below the uterus. Women with endometriosis may experience severe, localized pain during intercourse.
Presence of ovarian cysts
While many ovarian cysts are benign and can resolve without treatment, cysts associated with endometriosis (endometriosis) are another symptom of this condition. They can develop into large, painful lumps that may require surgery.
Chronic pelvic pain
Women who do not menstruate can suffer from chronic and severe pelvic discomfort. Scarring and severe or resistant disease can also contribute to this outcome.
Infertility
Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive within one year of regular intercourse without using birth control methods. Endometriosis affects 25 to 50 percent of infertile women and can cause scar tissue, damage, and inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Studies have also shown that endometriosis affects the quality and quantity of eggs produced.
Related: Does endometriosis increase cancer risk? Here’s what an expert has to say.
Do any of these symptoms sound familiar? What to do here?
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“If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t ignore them.” Talk to your healthcare provider about proper diagnosis and treatment. “Endometriosis is manageable, but early intervention is key to improving your health and quality of life.”
Dr. Bajaj emphasizes that pain is not normal, and rightly says that it is a sign that something is wrong somewhere in your body. Go ahead and seek the care you deserve.
