
In honor of Endometriosis Awareness month this March, Garden OB/GYN is here to share some tips on managing your symptoms of Endometriosis.
The cause of Endometriosis is still unknown, but occurs when uterine tissue, or the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, begins to grow in other body areas outside of the uterus. This may occur on your bladder, fallopian tubes, bowel, abdomen, or ovaries. To learn more about endometriosis, view our detailed endometriosis service page.
Not every woman with endometriosis experiences symptoms, but those who do largely complain about the pain that accompanies the condition. In fact, pain is the primary and most common symptom of endometriosis. This pain can range from mild and fleeting to chronic, excruciating, and lingering. Our providers at Garden OB/GYN understand that endometriosis pain can be debilitating, uncomfortable and/or disruptive, and can help offer different options and tips to manage the pain.
As mentioned earlier, endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus. This is problematic because this tissue functions as if it lived inside the uterus, thickening and then breaking down each month in alignment with your menstrual cycle. This means that each time you menstruate, the displaced uterine tissue breaks down and bleeds, but unlike the uterine tissue within the uterus, the endometriosis tissue has no way of leaving your body. As a result, it is trapped, causing issues like cysts, scar tissue, and adhesions in the body which trigger immense pain.
If you have endometriosis, you may experience pain in your pelvis, during intercourse, during menstruation or the week before your period, when you go to the bathroom (either urinating or having a bowel movement). Pain with endometriosis can be either acute or chronic. The severity of the pain you experience does not also correlate with the severity of your endometriosis. It is possible that a small bit of endometriosis can result in intense pain, while extensive endometriosis pain could be associated with mild pain.
Some tips for managing endometriosis pain include:
We know how painful living with endometriosis can be. Our team of compassionate, caring providers can help treat and manage your endometriosis so that you can live your best life.