Endometriosis, a gynecological condition that affects 10% of women globally, is frequently undiagnosed as symptoms may often be mistaken for menstrual cramps or may not manifest noticeable signs. In the U.S., women typically endure an average of 10 years before an accurate diagnosis.
During this Endometriosis Awareness Month, understand the condition better from an expert who dispels common myths around it.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside it, often leading to pain and infertility. Currently, endometriosis has no known cure. However, early diagnosis and effective treatment help in managing symptoms.
Here are some popular myths about endometriosis:
Myth-1 A person has endometriosis only if they have pain during the periods.
Fact: Signs of endometriosis include painful periods, excessive bleeding, pain or discomfort during sex, pain with bowel movements or urination, lower back pain, infertility, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea. However, it is important to note that endometriosis can exist without any of these symptoms as well.
According to Dr. Molina Dayal, a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist and fertility specialist at STLFertility in St. Louis, Missouri, endometriosis is a benign gynecological condition that can present in different ways.
“Many women with endometriosis may have painful menses, some may have pelvic pain even without menstruating, and some may have pain with sex. Several women can also have endometriosis without any symptoms at all! The only way to truly know if someone has endometriosis is to perform a surgery called a diagnostic laparoscopy to see if there are endometriotic ‘lesions’ or spots within the pelvis; these areas are then physically removed and sent for tissue confirmation of endometriosis. For some women, removing these areas of endometriosis will improve their symptoms,” Dr. Dayal told Medical Daily.
Myth-2 Pregnancy can cure endometriosis
Fact- There is…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply