Endometriosis

A chronic condition that causes significant pain and suffering, endometriosis is a relatively common disorder among the female population. One of the main symptoms of this condition is pelvic pain. However, not all women will experience the same symptoms; in fact some may have endometriosis (also known as endo) and not even realize it due to a lack of severe discomfort. In general, between 3% and 10% of women aged 15 to 45 years have endometriosis. Yet, of those women dealing with infertility, 25% to 35% of them have endometriosis. This is not surprising considering that endo can cause infertility.

In order to properly diagnose endometriosis, it is necessary to have a laparoscopy performed. In some instances, a woman's endometriosis can be treated during this diagnostic procedure. While this can improve symptoms, it will not completely cure the endometriosis. Medicinal treatment, including pain killers, can be pursued in order to manage the symptoms associated with the condition. Alternative treatments such as ayurveda medicine are also available, and some women have found success through dietary changes. Chiropractic treatment and yoga therapy are among other treatment options for endometriosis. Those looking for a more permanent solution may want to consider surgical treatment.

Endometriosis can be both physically and emotionally crippling. Finding ways to cope with the condition is important to maintaining your health. If you suspect that you may have endometriosis, it is important to talk with your doctor about it. Read an article about common emotions experienced by women with endometriosis. Not all doctors are familiar with the condition and may pass off your discomfort as normal menstrual pains, which can be a frustrating experience. Many symptoms of endometriosis are similar to the signs of some forms of cancer. This makes it extremely important to receive proper diagnosis, and be familiar with some of the risks associated with endometriosis and cancer.

While greater public awareness on the matter has helped, experts suggest that it can take as much as nine years before a woman receives a proper diagnosis. If you are unsure of what to say to your doctor, you may want to establish a script beforehand to ensure that you express all your key points out to your doctor. Find out more about keeping a pain diary and other tips when talking to your doctor about your endometriosis symptoms in Talking to Your Doctor about Endometriosis.