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No woman eagerly anticipates "that time of the month." Most of us have mood swings, bloating, and cramps, which are never nice. However, for those with endometriosis, obtaining a period might be very difficult. An ordinary period is anything but typical for them, as it is accompanied by painful cramps.
Endometriosis can be tricky to identify, especially since its symptoms often overlap with other conditions. It can also get confusing to understand what is happening with your body or if it is a mere detour that your menstrual cycle is taking. To identify differentiating signs, what could be better than consulting an expert?
Related: Adah Sharma Reveals Endometriosis Diagnosis: Here Are Its Common Symptoms And Challenges
What Is Endometriosis?
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According to the Merck Manual, approximately 6% to 10% of women are thought to have endometriosis. Explaining what endometriosis is, our expert Dr. Archana Dhawan Bajaj, Gynaecologist, Obstetrician, and IVF Expert, Nurture IVF Clinic, New Delhi, says, “During a normal menstrual cycle, the endometrium, the uterine lining, accumulates and then sheds itself. Endometriosis causes the lining to develop outside the uterus, either around the ovaries or beneath the uterus in a location known as the posterior cul-de-sac. Small quantities of bleeding occur within the pelvis when the lining accumulates and degrades. This causes inflammation, discomfort, oedema, and scarring.“
Dr. Bajaj further highlighted, ”If you think you are having endometriosis, you are not alone. It is a prevalent disorder affecting around one in every ten women and persons designated female at birth (AFAB) globally.”
Signs Your Painful Periods Are Actually Endometriosis
Speaking to the OnlyMyHealth team, our expert, Dr. Bajaj shared these five signs that can help identify painful periods as a potential symptom of endometriosis, elaborating on each for our readers. These signs can also aid you in knowing if your menstrual cramps have advanced towards endometriosis.
Painful Periods
Most of us get cramps during our periods, but women who have endometriosis frequently experience terrible pain that prevents them from working or caring for themselves or their families. It is common to have mild pain during periods, but pain that does not allow a woman to do her daily tasks is not normal and should be reviewed by your healthcare provider.
Additionally, it may be accompanied by stomach or back pain during or between periods. Endometriosis is also characterised by heavy bleeding during periods and spotting (light bleeding) between cycles.
Painful Intercourse
This frequent condition, also known as dyspareunia, may be caused by endometriosis underneath the uterus. Women who have endometriosis may experience extreme, localised pain during penetration.
Presence Of Ovarian Cysts
While many ovarian cysts are benign and may dissolve without therapy, cysts linked with endometriosis (endometriomas) are another sign of the disease. They can grow into huge and painful masses that may require surgical removal.
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Women who do not get their periods may experience chronic and severe pelvic discomfort. Scarring and severe or refractory illness can also contribute to this outcome.
Infertility
Infertility is defined as the failure to conceive within a year of regular sexual intercourse without the use of contraception. Endometriosis affects 25% to 50% of infertile women and can cause scar tissue, damage, and inflammation of the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis has also been shown in studies to have an impact on egg quality and the quantity of eggs produced.
Related: Does Endometriosis Increase The Risk Of Cancer? Here's What An Expert Has To Say
Do Any Of These Symptoms Sound Familiar? Here’s What To Do
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“If these symptoms sound familiar, don’t dismiss them. Speak with your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment. Endometriosis is manageable, but early intervention is key to improving both your health and quality of life.”, says our expert.
Emphasising that pain isn’t normal, Dr. Bajaj rightly says that it’s a signal that something, somewhere in your body is amiss. Go ahead and seek the care you deserve.