Recently, I was chatting with a friend and mentioned endometriosis. I was surprised when they asked, “What’s that?” This surprised me because endometriosis affects at least 1 in 9 females, making it almost as common as asthma or migraines.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) occurs outside the uterus. It is usually found in the pelvic cavity, commonly on the ovaries, bowel, and bladder, but it can also be found outside of the pelvis like the diaphragm, kidneys and has even been found in the lungs.
The abnormal tissue can cause debilitating pain, especially during menstruation. Symptoms can vary, including bowel-related issues, abdominal pain, or referred pain in the vulva or thighs.
Diagnosis and Misconceptions
On average, it takes around seven years for someone to be diagnosed with endometriosis. Symptoms are often dismissed as period pain, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or not taken seriously at all. Endometriosis is also associated with difficulty in fertility, severe fatigue, and other symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life.
The Need for Awareness and Research
While some women’s health issues, like breast cancer, have been well-researched and funded, conditions like endometriosis have not received the same attention. Many women end up spending tens of thousands of dollars on surgeries in the private system due to lack of funding or long waiting lists in the public system. There is strong evidence showing that women’s pain is generally less treated and taken less seriously. The term “hysterectomy” originated from the belief that the uterus made women “hysterical,” highlighting how deeply ingrained the dismissal of women’s symptoms is within healthcare.
Key Takeaways
One of the most important takeaways when it comes to endometriosis is to believe women’s pain and experiences. If someone’s period pains are severe that it needs more than paracetamol and ibuprofen or interferes with their ability to go to school or work, endometriosis should be considered, as should unexplained bowel symptoms.
While I am not an endometriosis expert, I believe that management should be multi-disciplinary, involving a combination of lifestyle and medical interventions, and further funding for patients with endometriosis is required.