March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a global movement dedicated to raising awareness about this chronic and often debilitating condition.
One in seven women have Endometriosis. I am one in seven.
Endometriosis is a debilitating disease that impacts women’s physical health, mental wellbeing, fertility and the function of vital organs as reported by the World Health Organisation. Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue, like the lining of the uterus, grows outside the uterus, causing severe cramps, back pain, painful intercourse, painful bowel movements and heavy bleeding (menorrhagia).
Although most often seen on the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), Endometriosis has been found to grow on almost every organ in the body.
Treatments are limited and currently no treatments prevent the onset of Endometriosis. Treatment may also vary depending on the intensity of symptoms whether pregnancy is desired.
Endometriosis is often misdiagnosed, as it is hard to identify and is an often-misunderstood condition. Endometriosis does not show up on an ultrasound, unlike similar condition Adenomyosis and can only be diagnosed through surgery, commonly through a Laparoscopy. Despite being minimally invasive, this surgery still exposes patients to general surgical risks such as bleeding, infection, blood clots and organ injury.
Endometriosis is commonly mistaken for a ‘period disease’ but it’s actually a full body disease. Monthly menstrual shedding causes pain, inflammation, and scar tissue, which is why the condition is associated with painful periods.
Because period pain can be expected during menstruation, health care practitioners may dismiss menstrual pain as reported by ABC journalist Kellie Scott. An Endometriosis diagnosis takes 6.5 years on average due to variable and the presentation of comorbid symptoms.
March is Endometriosis awareness month. This month serves as an opportunity to educate, advocate, and support those living with Endometriosis.
I always had painful periods. Think chronic fatigue, vomiting, nausea, fainting from the pain. But like others with Endometriosis, I’ve had doctors dismiss me because “period pain is normal.”
That’s the thing with Endo – it is so hard to diagnose.
By age 17 I had tried 5 different types of birth control pills – but birth control is an imperfect treatment method. The pill is great because you can choose if you have a period or not, but it cannot fix the root cause of the pain.
A doctor asked me if I’ve “tried taking two Panadol AND two ibuprofens? That works a treat!” As if I hadn’t tried every medical, natural and holistic approach to managing my Endo pain.
In the same appointment they said, “try heating a wheat pack in the microwave for two minutes – your pain will subside!” Again, I had obviously done this before.
Eventually (after many years of advocating) I saw a gynaecologist. I drove a four-hour round trip just for her to hand me a script for another birth control pill.
“You’re too young to have Endometriosis!” she said condescendingly.
This cycle has been going on for years and appears it will continue until I reach an age where I am not “too young” to have Endometriosis and will be taken seriously by doctors.
This is a battle that far too many women face.
The lack of awareness surrounding endometriosis often results in underdiagnosis, delaying timely treatment for this condition and allowing time for the disease to spread to other organs. Severe pain, fatigue, and infertility can severely impair the quality of life for those affected by endometriosis. In the worst cases, the debilitating pain may prevent individuals from carrying out daily activities such as attending school and work.
If Endometriosis was a “men’s disease” there may be a cure by now.
If you have painful periods, it could be Endometriosis. Talk to your GP, advocate for yourself and visit one of the many Endo clinics across New South Wales.
Wear yellow for Endo this March. There are many ways to raise awareness. See how you can act this March here.
For more information visit the Endometriosis Australia website.
For a full list of Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinics, visit this website.
