More and more women are becoming aware of the term endometriosis. Whether it’s affecting a friend or loved one, or you suspect you might be presenting symptoms, medical professionals everywhere are glad to see information on this condition becoming more readily available to women as they grow up. Women’s Health Specialists is here to help by breaking down the signs, symptoms, and treatments of endometriosis.
Why Endometriosis Often Goes Undiagnosed
Understanding why endometriosis diagnosis can be challenging helps us advocate for more widespread, effective care here in Memphis and Germantown.
- Cultural Misconceptions: Historically, severe menstrual pain has been a normalized, and ultimately downplayed, part of womanhood, delaying appropriate medical attention.
- Symptom Overlap: Endometriosis symptoms almost always bear similarities to those of other reproductive and abdominal conditions, such as IBS, ovarian cysts, or bladder issues, causing frequent misdiagnosis to occur.
- No Simple Diagnostic Test: There’s currently no single blood test or simple imaging method to detect all forms of endometriosis. Confirming endometriosis is most reliable through direct visualization and biopsy using a diagnostic laparoscopy.
- Individual Variation: Symptoms and disease progression will vary greatly from one person to another, even within the same family, complicating diagnosis and treatment planning.
Clearing Up Misconceptions
Along with being underdiagnosed, endometriosis is often misunderstood. The following information can bear a negative impact on those who might be suffering from this condition, so let’s shed some light on the truth.
Myth: “Endometriosis is just painful periods; it’s normal.”
Truth: Endometriosis is far more than just painful periods. It involves tissue similar to the uterine lining growing outside the uterus, causing inflammation, severe pain, fatigue, digestive issues, infertility, and other complications. Severe menstrual pain that disrupts daily life is not normal and should always be evaluated by your women’s health provider.
Myth: “Young people and teenagers can’t get endometriosis.”
Truth: Endometriosis can develop soon after menstruation begins in adolescents and teenagers. Early intervention and diagnosis are important when possible, as symptoms often start in young women and can worsen considerably over time if they aren’t addressed.
Myth: “Endometriosis means you will definitely be infertile.”
Truth: While endometriosis can contribute to infertility in some women, it doesn’t necessarily mean infertility is inevitable. Many women with endometriosis conceive naturally or with medical assistance.
Myth: “Pain severity directly reflects how severe the endometriosis is.”
Truth: The level of pain experienced does not always match the severity or stage of endometriosis. Some individuals have extensive endometriosis with minimal pain, while others experience extreme pain with only mild or early-stage disease. It’s important to remember the variability of symptoms in different patients.
Myth: “You just have to live with endometriosis pain—there’s nothing you can do.”
Truth: Thankfully, there are numerous treatments and strategies for managing endometriosis, including medication, excision surgery, lifestyle modifications, physical therapy, and holistic approaches. These management practices can significantly enhance the quality of life.
Seeking Treatment
In terms of choosing an approach for treatment, your Women’s Health Specialists provider will partner with you to create a personalized plan. We will consider your medical history, family planning, and personal treatment preferences whenever possible.
Pain Management and Medications
- NSAIDs (Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs): In milder cases, these medications can provide temporary relief from menstrual cramps, inflammation, and pelvic pain. Common examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Hormonal Birth Control (Pills, Patches, or Rings): The methods all regulate or suppress menstrual cycles, reducing endometriosis-related pain by limiting the growth of endometrial tissue.
- GnRH Agonists and Antagonists (e.g., Lupron, Orilissa): We use these products to suppress estrogen production, thereby shrinking endometrial implants and reducing pain. These are often only used short-term due to potential side effects.
2. Minimally Invasive Surgery (Laparoscopy)
- Excision Surgery: Surgically removing endometrial lesions and adhesions can effectively alleviate symptoms, restore normal anatomy, improve fertility outcomes, and provide longer-lasting relief compared to other methods.
- Ablation Surgery: Destroys superficial endometriosis lesions using heat or laser. Less effective long-term compared to excision, but beneficial for milder cases.
3. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
- Our office offers specialized pelvic physical therapy that reduces chronic pelvic pain, improves muscle function, and alleviates symptoms caused by endometriosis-related muscle tension or spasms.
- Emotional and Community Support
- Patient Counseling: Our providers and other professionals can help offer guidance to manage emotional stress associated with chronic pain and treatment.
- Educational Resources: Access to reliable information is instrumental to helping patients and families understand and manage endometriosis effectively.
- Community Connection: We always encourage participation in local or online support groups to share experiences and coping strategies for endometriosis.
Living Your Best Life
We hope this blog has helped quell any fears you may have about not being able to live a normal lifestyle with endometriosis. It’s true that it can be a tricky condition, but there’s never been a better time to seek treatment than now. Please schedule an appointment soon if you’re experiencing overlapping symptoms.