The World Health Organization estimates that endometriosis globally affects at least 10% of girls and women in the reproductive age range. However, the numbers could be higher. The normalization of period pain as a part of women’s lives makes some women endure debilitating period pain for years before seeking treatment. If period pain feels like an invisible saw ripping through your pelvis, lower back, and vaginal walls, it’s time to get checked for endometriosis. However, crushing pain is not the only symptom of endometriosis. There are a few more that indicate you might have endometriosis. Continue reading for more information.

What is Endometriosis?

A systemic health condition, endometriosis happens when the ‘endometrium,’ i.e., the uterus lining, grows outside the uterus. Usually, the uterine tissue exits the body with menstrual blood. However, in the case of endometriosis, the uterine tissue breaks apart and gets trapped, causing blood to get stuck in surrounding organs. It leads to swelling and inflammation, progressing to lesions and scar tissues in ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissues. In severe cases, it involves the bowels and bladder too.

What Triggers Endometriosis?

The exact reasons for endometriosis are still unknown. However, possible causes include retrograde menstruation, i.e., when endometrial pieces pass to the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes. These bits and pieces of tissue may stick on reproductive organs. During periods, the tissue bleeds but outside the uterus and has nowhere to go, leaving healthy tissues in the organs nearby inflamed. Gradually, scar tissue and cysts can develop. Transformation of peritoneal cells or embryonic cells into endometrial-like cells, surgical scar implantation after a C-section or hysterectomy, and immune system disorder destroying healthy endometrial cells are other possible causes of endometriosis.

What Are Five Signs Of Endometriosis?

Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Unbearable menstrual pain
  The pain tolerance level differs from person to person. However, severe endometriosis pain is generally intolerable and disrupts your daily life. Routine tasks like getting up, going to work, and doing household chores seem too challenging. Regular painkillers might not work to alleviate endometrial pain. Heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods also adds to the woes.
• Pelvic pain that does not go away
  Unexplained and persistent pain in the pelvic region is a classic symptom of endometriosis. It feels like menstrual cramps are getting worse every minute.
• Sex is painful
  Endometriosis sucks the pleasure out of your sex life. The endometrium growing outside your uterus or the surrounding reproductive organs makes sex uncomfortable, difficult, and painful.
• Infertility
  Almost all the symptoms of endometriosis are a bane to female wellness as they cause physical and psychological distress. However, the inability to conceive despite trying hard makes endometriosis emotionally straining as well. The incorrect growth of the endometrium prevents the egg from meeting a sperm or damages either.
• Pain during urination or bowel movement
  Painful urination or defecation, especially during periods, is likely because of endometriosis affecting the function of your bladder or bowel.

Talk to your doctor if you have any of these symptoms to begin treatment and find relief at the earliest.