It’s Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is one of several factors contributing to my own infertility. Today, we’re sharing info on endometriosis via poetry by Jenny Rough and through scientific facts from Endo Warriors.
Elizabeth
What is Endometriosis?
(Sourced from endowarriorssupport.com)
Endometriosis is a painful condition that occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) implants itself outside of the uterus. This results in the formation of cysts. scarring, and inflammation; all of which can cause chronic pain, infertility, adhesions, and bladder and bowel complications.
Endometriosis is most commonly found on the exterior of the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, and pelvic floor. Endometriosis can also occur — although It is less common — on the bowel and sciatic region. In extremely rare cases endometriosis can be found growing on the liver, diaphragm, lungs, brain and central nervous system.
Source, Wikipedia.
Common Symptoms Include:
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Pain during ovulation
- Irregular or heavy menses
- Painful bowel movements during menstruation
- Urinary pain during menses
- Chronic pain lower back pain
- Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods
- Changes in bowel habits during menstruation
- Abdominal bloating
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Dyspareunia: Pain during and after intercourse
Women with endometriosis may also suffer from higher rates of allergies, yeast infections, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, mullerian anomalies, interstitial cystitis, adenomyosis, thyroid disease, Crohn’s disease, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and other autoimmune diseases; as well as increased rates of ovarian cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and brain cancer.