Endometriosis

March is designated as the month to bring awareness to endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disease where the uterine lining grows outside of the uterus and sometimes in other places in the body. In most cases, the uterine lining has been found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and surrounding tissues, which include the bowels or bladder. Endometriosis causes severe pelvic pain during periods. Many women with this condition also experience pelvic pain between periods. Women experiencing endometriosis also face infertility. Additionally, women can also experience fatigue, digestive problems, heavy periods, and spotting or bleeding between periods. Women with endometriosis experience pain during or after sex, lower abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, and painful urination. Endometriosis is estimated to affect around 15 million women in America.

Many women suffer in silence, believing that severely painful periods are normal. This leads to many experiencing delayed diagnosis. However, that is not the sole reason for delayed diagnosis. Diagnosing endometriosis is often delayed because the only way to diagnose it is through a surgical procedure. Any woman who menstruates is at risk for developing endometriosis and there are some women who are higher risk for endometriosis. Women with a family history, had a menstrual onset prior to age 11, have short monthly cycles, and/or have heavy cycles that last more than 7 days are at higher risk for experiencing endometriosis.

A cure has yet to be developed for endometriosis, but some treatments do exist. Treatments include the use of pain relievers both over the counter and prescription, depending on the pain severity. Hormone therapy in the form of birth control pills, progestin therapy, and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone are also available. For severe pain, surgical treatments can be done to remove some of the tissue causing endometriosis. Women no longer have to suffer alone or in silence. Help, support, and treatment for endometriosis are available. If you experience any of these issues, please speak to your doctor and ask about ways to get help. If you do not have a doctor, I invite you to explore some of the pages linked here for additional information and resources to help you on your journey to healing.

MedlinePlus. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); updated 2025 Jan 21. Endometriosis; updated 2025 Jan 21. Available from: https://medlineplus.gov/endometriosis.html