Anybody can suffer from a debilitating health concern that keeps them from working. However, women are at an additional risk of suffering from gynecological concerns like endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine tissue develops outside the uterus.
Unfortunately, because most women generally consider the primary symptoms of endometriosis Miami “normal,” they might not consider consulting a doctor about their issue. Understanding the signs and symptoms of endometriosis could often be the first step to a diagnosis and successful therapy. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Heavy Menstrual Periods
Every woman’s menstrual cycle is unique. What is normal for one woman is not necessarily normal for another. These variations could make it difficult to determine when your symptoms could indicate something more serious.
Heavy menstrual flows are quite a common concern, but it is not normal. Heavy bleeding could be a sign of endometriosis or another manageable gynecological concern. Therefore, if you bleed for over a week, soak tampons or fads surprisingly fast, or pass blood clots bigger than a quarter, you should seek medical attention.
2. Serious Menstrual Cramps
Another potential sign of endometriosis is serious menstrual cramping. A huge percentage of women experience mild to moderate cramps during their menstruation. However, intense, or long-lasting cramps can indicate an underlying concern like endometriosis.
Menstrual cramps are considered serious if you regularly experience cramps with heavy bleeding and cramps that disrupt your everyday routine. Moreover, your cramps might be severe if you experience little-to-no relief with over-the-counter pain medications. Therefore, if you experience these symptoms, you might have endometriosis.
3. Chronic Pelvic Discomfort
Endometriosis can cause heavy, painful periods. However, the discomfort does not always end once your period stops. Endometriosis patches cause swelling around the pelvic area, making some women experience chronic pelvic discomfort.
You might experience discomfort in your lower back or lower abdomen at any time during your cycle. Endometriosis can also result in discomfort during or after intercourse. Besides, some women report experiencing pain with bowel movements or urination.
4. Digestive Issues
The endometrial tissue outside the uterus keeps developing every month. Sadly, because the intestinal tract and other abdominal organs are nearby, they are highly susceptible to this condition. As the tissues continually develop and shed every month, digestive symptoms can result.
Some common digestive issues to watch out for include constipation, diarrhea, nausea and/or vomiting, and painful or difficult bowel movements. However, these digestive concerns could be serious enough to result in a misdiagnosis or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, ensure you talk to your doctor about your specific digestive concerns so that they can evaluate you for endometriosis.
5. Infertility
Endometriosis is a leading cause of female infertility. In fact, most women learn about their condition when seeking treatment for fertility issues. Therefore, endometriosis could be to blame if you experience trouble conceiving, even if you do not have any other warning signs.
Endometriosis patches can develop on the fallopian tubes or ovaries, interfering with fertilization, ovulation, and implantation. Therefore, it is important to seek immediate care if you experience fertility issues. The sooner the diagnosis, the sooner you can begin treatments to help you begin or expand your family.
Although numerous women suffer from endometriosis-related symptoms, they are often unaware of the condition. Besides, the signs and symptoms of endometriosis are easily mistaken for other conditions. Therefore, it is easy for you to receive a misdiagnosis or even a delayed diagnosis.
Talk to your doctor if you experience any of the warning signs highlighted above. Your doctor will perform a comprehensive diagnosis to determine if you have endometriosis. Treatments you can explore in case of a positive diagnosis include medications, hormone therapy, minimally invasive surgery, and more.
