Is my period pain endometriosis?
Do you suffer from debilitating period pain that is impacting your life? The kind of pain that even paracetamol doesn’t take the edge off, leaving you in the foetal position with even the slightest movement sending pain shooting throughout your body! Your pain may be cyclic, continuous or random, and may even be experienced during sexual intercourse.
Women with endometriosis have described their pain as “crippling”, “horrific”, “sharp”, and “stabbing” (Young K, Fisher J, Kirkman M, 2015). Endometriosis can have profound effects on women's lives, ranging from physical, mental, social, and financial.
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial-like tissue, similar to the tissue normally found lining the uterus, is found in other parts of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, the lining the abdominal and pelvic cavities, and the outside of the uterus. Like the endometrial tissue lining the uterus, the endometriosis tissue responds to ovarian hormones, causing bleeding. This leads to inflammation and scarring, which can cause painful adhesions joining together pelvic organs which are normally separate (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2019).
The causes of endometriosis are uncertain, but factors that seem to increase the risk of endometriosis include a family history of endometriosis, early age at first period, short menstrual cycles, and heavy or long periods (Jean Hailes, 2023).
Diagnosis of endometriosis is often delayed, with an average of 7 years between onset of symptoms and diagnosis (Nnoaham et al., 2011). Whilst there is no known cure for endometriosis, it can be managed. Early assessment and intervention can lead to better long-term management, including reducing symptom severity and improving quality of life, helping individuals affected by endometriosis to live life to the fullest.
Book an appointment to discuss management options for your period pain and endometriosis.
References:
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2019). Endometriosis in Australia: prevalence and hospitalisations. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/a4ba101d-cd6d-4567-a44f-f825047187b8/aihw-phe-247.pdf.aspx?inline=true
Jean Hailes. (2023). Endometriosis symptoms & causes. https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/endometriosis/symptoms-causes
Nnoaham, K., Hummelshoj, L., Webster, P., d’Hooghe, T., de Cicco Nardone, F., & de Cicco Nardone, C. (2011). Impact of endometriosis on quality of life and work productivity: a multicenter study across ten countries. Fertility and Sterility 96:366–73.
Young, K., Fisher, J., & Kirkman, M. (2015). Women's experiences of endometriosis: a systematic review and synthesis of qualitative research. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care 2015;41:225-234.