Dr Frankie – Endometriosis Awareness Month

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and here at Femfresh, we are committed to educating on all things women’s health and opening up these important conversations. Endometriosis is certainly one of those topics that needs talking about more as 1 in 10 women in the UK are affected and it can be a huge impact on their quality of life. Largely due to lack of awareness, it takes a shocking 7.5 years on average to reach a diagnosis, so we certainly need to be more to advocate for women suffering with this condition.

Here are 5 things I wish everyone knew about endometriosis

It’s a condition whereby cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb grow outside of the womb – usually in the pelvis, around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. In some rare cases the tissue can even grow in more distant sites in the body like the chest.

It affects as many as 1 in 10 women in the UK – that’s around 1.5 million in the women in the UK living with this condition… so chances are you know someone who is suffering.

Each month, the endometrial-like tissue outside the womb reacts to the menstrual cycle, changes in hormones levels and also bleeds. However, there is no way for this blood to leave the body and instead it can cause inflammation, pain and the formation of scar tissue. Sometimes this scar tissue can cause problems with fertility later down the line.

One of the most debilitating symptoms is pelvic pain which often occurs in a regular pattern, with the pain getting worse just before and during your period. It can also cause pain during sex. However, this condition is so much more complex than just these physical symptoms, it can really affect sexual wellbeing due to pain and discomfort during sex, and psychological wellbeing as living with chronic pain can really take it’s toll. Endometriosis can have a negative impact on a woman’s quality of life, with increased rates of anxiety and depression seen amongst those suffering with this chronic condition.

The symptoms can be really vague and overlap with other common conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and so it can take a lot of time and investigations to reach a diagnosis. On average, it takes 7.5 years to correctly diagnose the condition. To combat this, we need to open up the conversations about endometriosis, reduce the stigma and raise awareness amongst healthcare professionals.

Whilst we don’t know the exact cause of endometriosis (which can be extremely frustrating for women who suffer from it), there are treatments available and for many women, their symptoms are well-managed. It’s really important if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, particularly pelvic pain, changes in your periods, painful sex or changes to bowel habits, or any psychological impact affecting your quality of life, that you reach out to your doctor. In the first instance they should do some basic investigations and may need to refer you to a specialist.

Endometriosis can really take its toll on you, so it’s important you are supported psychologically too. As well as reaching out to your GP, you might find it helpful to learn more about the condition and contact a support group such as Endometriosis UK for direction to more information, local support groups or advice.

Dr Frankie

@drfrankiejs