It is very easy to ignore issues related to one’s reproductive health in today’s fast-paced life. A heavy period or severe cramps are often brushed off as troubles to be worried about in the future and these issues keep getting postponed until they are ignored forever. However, this is to one’s own detriment as you could be overlooking a very serious illness.
While most women are well-versed with conditions like PCOS or PCOD today, it is only a few who truly understand the gravity of having Endometriosis. This disease can be debilitating and up to half of the affected individuals are infertile.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a serious condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows on other areas of the body, according to Mayo Clinic. This tissue most often grows on reproductive organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, on the outside surface of the womb and on organs surrounding the pelvic region such as the bowels, stomach, bladder, intestines and cervix. It can grow on other organs as well such as the lungs, but this is a rarer instance. It is known as the “disease of theories” as the exact cause of why it occurs is not known. There are many hypotheses, but no one theory can explain all instances.
It can occur in other mammals which notably have a menstruation cycle such as primates. According to the World Health Organization, around 10% of women around the world (190 million) are affected by endometriosis. So, here are 5 early symptoms you might be overlooking according to experts.
The symptoms you might be overlooking and what you can do
Financial Express.com spoke to Dr Sushma K, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist at Apollo Hospital Sheshadripuram, Bangalore to gain her expertise on the matter and her valuable insights have painted an important picture of the early symptoms which are often overlooked in the day to day. These symptoms are:
Pain that disrupts your day to day function
According to Dr Sushma K, “If you’re cancelling plans, missing work or lying curled up on your periods, start to monitor your pain. If the over-the-counter drugs do not work or pain increases with time consult a gynaecologist.” Furthermore, scans or pelvic examination done early can allow you to identify endometriosis.
Pain during intimacy
One of the symptoms that is hardly ever talked about due to the stigma attached to it, is pain during sexual intercourse or after it. Most women refuse to discuss it due to embarrassment or shame and it is hence ignored until it is too late. According to Dr Sushma, “Remember, pain isn’t ‘in your head.’ It may be caused by lesions or swelling around the uterus. Be frank with your physician.”
Overwhelming fatigue
A blaringly blatant symptom of Endometriosis is excessive fatigue which can be triggered by chronic pain, hormonal changes, and inflammation. “Don’t ignore exhaustion. Balanced nutrition, rest, early medical intervention can prevent burnout and enhance energy levels,” says Dr Sushma.
Digestive or bowel issues
Bloating, constipation or painful passing of urine particularly around your cycle may indicate endometriosis is impacting adjacent organs. It is frequently misdiagnosed as IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). Keeping a symptoms calendar and recording them as and when they occur can paint a clearer picture and aid in catching the disease early.
Difficulty conceiving
For women looking to conceive and finding it immensely difficult, Endometriosis can be the secret culprit behind this condition. It is among the top causes of infertility, but most women are unaware until they cannot get pregnant. It’s not a death sentence but a signal to seek assistance earlier.
According to Dr Sushma, “If conception has not occurred after one year (or six months if older than 35), see a fertility specialist. Now, sophisticated laparoscopic surgery and fertility therapy have great results.”
Is healing possible?
Although there is no cure for Endometriosis currently, it is not all hopeless. Dr Sushma K says, “There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for endometriosis, but there are choices from hormonal treatment and pain relief to minimally invasive surgery. Exercise regularly, eat anti-inflammatory foods, and have emotional support – all of these can make a huge impact.”
Most importantly she emphasizes on women to not normalize pain and listen to their bodies when it is crying out for help. Pain is the body’s way of sending out an SOS signal and it must be heard instead of being muffled. Recognizing these early symptoms and proactively working on reversing them can go a very long way instead of looking for a cure after the damage is done. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.