Endometriosis? You’re Not Alone! Understand the Symptoms and Learn New Ways to Manage Them

One in 10 women live with the pain of endometriosis throughout their reproductive years. Although there is no cure, you can find relief from your symptoms with the help of a healthcare provider.

Inside your uterus during the reproductive years, layers of tissue grow each month in preparation for pregnancy. When that tissue grows in layers outside of the uterus it causes a condition known as endometriosis.

The excess tissue outside your uterus, around your ovaries or in other areas of your abdomen, sheds and bleeds monthly. Unlike the tissue inside your uterus, the excess tissue and blood has no means of escape. Instead, it collects inside your abdomen, irritating cells and forming scar tissue.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include:

• Infertility
• Fatigue
• Bloating
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Heavy bleeding
• Abdominal pain

Endometriosis can be diagnosed with an MRI or ultrasound. Sometimes a doctor may make a small incision near your belly button and insert a small, flexible camera to confirm the diagnosis.

Lifestyle Changes

One way to alleviate endometriosis symptoms is to make some lifestyle changes. Increased movement can lower your estrogen levels which would reduce or slow the tissue growth. You may try a regular workout routine or a more vigorous routine to see if it helps.

Dietary changes might also lessen your symptoms. Try cutting back on foods that cause inflammation, like processed meats and fried foods. Reducing alcohol consumption may help, too, since alcohol increases estrogen levels.

Reducing stress can help relieve pain. Warm compresses or baths may soothe cramping and bloating.

Medication

Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful in relieving pain so you can enjoy daily activities, especially during your period when symptoms tend to flare up. There are medical therapies recently approved by the FDA to reduce severe endometriosis pain. Those would be available from your doctor.

Surgery

In some cases, surgery may be an option to alleviate your symptoms, at least temporarily. The excess tissue outside of your uterus could be removed, although it is likely to grow back. Surgically removing endometriosis and related scar tissue can sometimes improve fertility. If you are struggling with endometrial infertility, you should consult a fertility specialist to understand your options.

Hormone Therapy

While there is no cure for endometriosis, hormone therapy might slow the growth of excess tissue, stop it from going through the bleeding and shedding cycle or change your perception of pain. New hormone therapies are always in development to treat endometriosis.

The pain and complications from endometriosis can be debilitating, but don’t give up. With the right combination of treatments, most women find relief. Medical research is ongoing, and new treatments are discovered all the time. Don’t hesitate to reach out to your medical providers for an update on your treatment options.

Sources:

https://www.adventhealth.com/blog/endometriosis-lets-talk-about-it?listFilters=query%3D%2520infertility%26cat%3Dglobal%26f%255B0%255D%3Dcontent_type%253Ablogs

https://networkofcare.adventhealth.com/central-florida/blog/treatments-try-endometriosis?utm_source=sfmc&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=NOC_Newsletter_Global_March_2024_Condensed&utm_content=Seasonal_G_EFD&sfmc_id=0033t00004PqCEDAA3

https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/endometri/conditioninfo/treatment#:~:text=As%20with%20all%20hormonal%20treatments,bone%20loss%2C%20and%20vaginal%20dryness.

https://www.massgeneral.org/obgyn/fertility/news/endometriosis-and-its-impact-on-fertility#:~:text=Endometriosis%20can%20make%20it%20more,of%20only%201%2D10%25.