So I've had a lot of people over the years tell me that they had recognised the symptoms of Endo but honestly thought it would just "go away" on it's own if they ignored it. That somehow their brain would convince the body they weren't ill, that the growths would fade away as if they'd never been. Mainly that the PAIN would just magically disappear.
The amount of women I've heard of that didn't realise there was anything wrong with them until they tried to conceive (TTC) and thought over the years that they had to suffer through the pain. That this was even normal for them.
Well it's not! Endo signs and symptoms should not be ignored. I am living proof that it can be genetic, it's run through three generations of my family that we know of. It could go back even further. But as women used to have larger families there is a body of thought that these continuous phases of pregnancies actually prevented the Endometriosis from growing. I'm not saying it's fact just something I've come across and in fact several Doctors have advised pregnancy as a treatment to me since the age of eighteen right up until now.
I think it's time to reiterate the signs and symptoms that should not and can not be ignored. For the sake of your quality of life, get checked out as soon as you think there might be something amiss. Better to see your G.P and go through your symptoms even if they turn out to be mild or not Endo rather than face years of pain and suffering only to find out you could have tried treatments sooner. Not there is no "cure" for Endo only treatments and each woman will vary in what works for them. Some women unfortunately may never find a treatment that suits and can end up having a hysterectomy like my Mum to rid herself of the pain or be on medication until Menopause kicks in and their symptoms ease with this "change".
Again some women will never find themselves in a pain free situation but will learn to live with the pain, surgeries, side effects of treatments and so on.
What I am telling you is, DO NOT IGNORE these signs.
Although there is no cure, again there is a body of thought that dictates earlier detection results in managing Endo a lot better than someone suffering for years and years allowing the growths, cysts and even fibroids to grow and grow and grow. There a groups such as Juneau Biosciences who are trying to identify a gene that could be responsible for women "activating" their Endo. All they ask for is a saliva sample and a record of your diagnosis, surgeries and blood work. You will find their link to the right.
They are trying to create a test, for young girls to detect Endo early and hopefully get them on a treatment plan before the effects kick in.
So the signs you are not to push away and say "oh I'll have that checked tomorrow" are;
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period and may include lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with Endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination. You're most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
- Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
- Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
- Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods
The severity of your pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild Endometriosis have extensive pain, while others with advanced Endometriosis may have little pain or even no pain at all.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany Endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate Endometriosis. The cause of chronic or severe pelvic pain may be difficult to pinpoint. But discovering the problem early may help you avoid unnecessary complications and pain.
(This information has been brought to you by the Mayo Clinic)
As always, love to all of my Endo Sisters. Stay strong.
