March is Endometriosis Awareness Month

Endometriosis is a medical condition that affects the tissue lining the inside of the uterus, known as the endometrium. This condition occurs when endometrial tissue grows outside of the uterus, usually on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other structures in the pelvic area.

Endometriosis can cause a variety of symptoms, including pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during sex, and infertility. The severity of symptoms can vary widely, and some women may have no symptoms at all.

Endometriosis affects 1 in 9 women, girls and those assigned female at birth and there are over 830,000 endo warriors in Australia. Common symptoms can be -

📌 pain with bowel movements⁠

📌 fatigue⁠

📌 pain that stops you on or around your period⁠

📌 pain on or around ovulation⁠

📌 pain during or after sex⁠

📌 pain when you urinate⁠

📌 pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs⁠

📌 having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go frequently⁠

📌 heavy or irregular bleeding⁠

On average, it takes 6.5 years to be diagnosed with endometriosis. Symptoms of endometriosis are #morethanjust bloating. They can vary from person to person, from month to month, and can include any combination of the following:⁠

• fatigue⁠
• pain that stops you on or around your period⁠
• pain on or around ovulation⁠
• pain during or after sex⁠
• pain with bowel movements ⁠
• pain when you urinate⁠
• pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs⁠
• heavy or irregular bleeding⁠
• trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go to the bathroom frequently⁠

The exact cause of endometriosis is not known, but it is believed to be related to hormonal imbalances, genetics, and immune system dysfunction. Treatment for endometriosis may include medications to manage pain or hormones to suppress the growth of endometrial tissue, as well as surgery to remove the tissue or to treat any associated infertility.

Source: Information from Endometriosis Australia