Endometriosis Awareness Month
It might be hard to believe, but as many as 1 in 10 women have endometriosis. Even crazier, on average it takes 10 years for a woman to finally receive a diagnosis of endometriosis – usually after years of trying to figure out “what’s wrong.” March is endometriosis awareness month, and if you’re like so many women, you’ve probably heard about this or maybe you know someone who has it, but chances are it’s still very much a mystery.
So for starters, what is endometriosis?
A really simple definition: endometriosis is an inflammatory disease characterized by endometrial-like tissue (that’s tissue similar to what’s supposed to be inside the uterus) actually growing outside the uterus, on places like the ovaries, bladder and rectum.
Ever wondered if what you’re feeling could be more serious than just “IBS,” “PMS” or “pain with periods?”
Here’s the most common 3 symptoms-
- Painful menstrual cramps
- Pelvic pain (Pain during or after sex, or other ongoing pelvic pain)
- Infertility
But many women with endometriosis may not have all of those symptoms, and there are other symptoms that can also be a sign of endometriosis – things that are actually pretty common and can easily be ignored or misdiagnosed.
These less common but still real symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Pain with urination or feeling like you have to pee all the time
- Heavy or irregular periods
- GI issues – so many times masking as IBS!
- Pain with bowel movements
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Chronic bloating
- Food sensitivities, especially to things like gluten or dairy
- Acid reflux – vomiting, painful indigestion, heartburn
- Pain with sex –
- Stabbing pain with penetration during intercourse
- Aching or burning while having sex; or
- Throbbing pain after sex
- Bloating – sometimes referred to as the “endo belly”. Regular bloating (along with nausea and flatulence) with symptoms being worse during menstruation
- Back pain – usually worse during your period
- Bleeding between periods
- Migraine
- Severe ovulation pain
- Pelvic pain with exercising
To learn more about what endometriosis is and if your body may be showing signs of this disease, check out this video from Chiavaye’s founder Kaylyn Easton and for more on how to get connected with others who may either have endo or may be experiencing the same things you’ve been going through!
P.S. When you’re ready, here are (2 or 3) ways that we can help you if you’re looking for more info or worried that your symptoms or pain might match up.
Book your free discovery session to learn how pelvic floor therapy can help you.
It’s also so important to connect with the right doctor who specializes in endo – send me an email so I can connect you with a physician I can personally vouch for
P.S. When you’re ready, here are ways that we can work together:
- Book your free discovery session
- You can be helped by pelvic floor therapy (book here), and it’s also important to connect with the right doctor who specializes in endo who I can personally vouch for- send me an email so I can send you my recommendations