Do I have Endometriosis?
Self Assessment
Fact: 1 in 10 women develop endometriosis.
Fact: It typically takes up to 10 years for a diagnosis of endometriosis
Fact: I do not want you to spend ten years in crippling pain, feeling helpless, because you have been told it’s “just period pain”! Carry out a little self assessment by reading the common symptoms of endometriosis below, then have a chat with your doctor. Ask her outright if you should have further checks for endometriosis.
It’s helpful to know that endo is not the same in all women. Symptoms can differ. Some woman may have all the symptoms, others some, others none until they are trying to conceive and struggle. Symptoms can also change during a monthly cycle and also over time (this was the case for me!)
Symptoms
Pain: one of the main symptom of endometriosis is pain which is often severe and chronic. You know your pain is severe if it doesn’t go away when you take ibuprofen and it stops you from your daily activities. The pain can be bearing down labour-like pain, dragging, searing, pulsating, stabbing and can be so intense that you vomit.
The pain can occur in your uterus, lower back, rectum, bladder, legs and in other areas of your pelvis. The pain is most often cyclical. It most commonly occurs during your period but can also occur during ovulation, during sex, preceding or during a bowel or bladder movement, or during or after a pelvic examination.
Heavy/Clotting Periods: if you are experiencing periods that are often heavy or ‘flooding’, then this could be an indication of endometriosis associated with excess oestrogen. More than 80ml is a heavy flow. This is 4 tablespoons throughout your whole period (16 fully soaked regular tampons or pads/8 fully soaked super tampons or pads). As your flow should subside as you sleep, you shouldn’t need to be changing your menstrual product during the night.
Large menstrual clots are also a possible indication of endometriosis (also associated with excess oestrogen). A few small clots are nothing to be concerned about and are quite normal, but seeing clots on a regular basis that are larger than 2.4 cm (an Australian ten-cent coin) could be a sign of endo.
Bowel problems: this can present as diarrhea and constipation, excessive gas, pain or blood with bowel movements, SIBO, IBS-like symptoms, GI-agitation. These are often noted at period and ovulation. Abdominal bloating that builds throughout the day or is present at period or ovulation is also very common for an endo sufferer (the dreaded endo-belly), sometimes to the extent that others will think you are pregnant!
Bladder problems: you may have problems such as urgency to urinate, frequency of urination, pain with a full bladder, during urination, and after relieving your bladder. These are often noted at period and ovulation. It’s also important to consider that Interstitial Cystitis (Painful Bladder Syndrome) has been labeled as the “evil twin” of endometriosis, with 80-90% of women with endo identified with IC.
Nausea: feeling nauseous is important to mention as a secondary symptom of endometriosis. Nausea is a GI-symptom and the majority of women diagnosed with endometriosis present with gastro-intestinal symptoms. You can have GI symptoms without endometriosis actually penetrating the bowel. Your endometriosis lesion may be nearby to your bowel without actually being on it.
Infertility: Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility, as severe endometriosis can twist or block the fallopian tubes and ovaries. The egg’s release may also be blocked due to scar tissue, adhesions or cysts.
However, in many cases, it is not understood why it is harder for women with endometriosis to become pregnant.
Some theories include: poor quality eggs, endo chemicals halt the egg’s movement down the fallopian tube, pelvic inflammation from the endo activates the production of cells that attack the sperm and shorten their life-span, eggs are not released from the ovaries each month (anovulation).
Allergies and intolerances: the presence of food allergies/intolerances (especially celiac disease), nickel allergy, and histamine intolerance have all been associated with endometriosis
Migraine-like headaches
Fatigue & brain fog
Poor immune system & low-grade fever
Bleeding between periods
As you can see, endometriosis is a whole body inflammatory disease and you owe it to yourself to follow up on any symptoms that are causing you pain or concern. If your symptoms have been trivialised, missed or the treatment you are currently receiving is not working, go back to your doctor and ask her about the possibility of endometriosis. Remember, a normal ultrasound doesn’t mean you don’t have endometriosis.
I am also here to help you in this process - whether you have further questions, need some encouragement or need support with referrals. I’m also here to support you manage your symptoms naturally!