FindMeCure Talks About Women’s Health: Endometriosis

On the 8th of March, International Women’s Day, it’s especially important to talk about women’s health and certain conditions and factors concerning their quality of life. One such condition is Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is the formation and growth of endometrium tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus, outside of it. The exact number of affected women is unknown, partly due to the condition sometimes developing without any symptoms. If symptoms are present however, they typically include but are not limited to:

-painful and/or unusually heavy periods, when the pain is different than the typical period pain, meaning that it’s stronger and lasts longer; sometimes there is constant pain in the pelvic area

-painful sex

-bleeding in-between periods

-reduced fertility

The good news is, Endometriosis is being thoroughly researched and a quick search in FindMeCure shows 67 clinical trials for the condition, which means a potential cure is on its way.

Find more clinical trialson different conditions on FindMeCure – The Google of Clinical Trials!

So far, the causes are unknown but there are some treatments that improve the symptoms such as surgery and hormonal treatment, and “the pill” shows good results in prevention. If the symptoms are on the mild end and fertility is not an issue, painkillers as common as paracetamol can be effective and about 3 in 10 women show improvement without any treatment at all. In some cases, however, the endometrium tissue can “stick together” internal organs (these are called adhesions), create a cyst or block the way of egg cells. And if neither surgery, nor hormonal treatment sounds that great to you, well, there is not much else that can be done.

Underreported and underestimated

Part of the reason why Endometriosis has been neglected for some time is that the symptoms are similar to those of a particularly tough period or a bad case of PMS. As with most other medical conditions social stigma plays a part in the lack of solid knowledge on the issue. Many women are inclined to brush it off and suffer in silence in fear of being accused of overreacting. And the general idea that periods are supposed to be painful and messy and women should just “deal with it” isn’t helping either.

On top of that, research shows that medical professionals often underestimate women’s pain and take their accounts less seriously[1]. And there is a particular kind of stigma related to the female reproductive system and its pains and conditions.

In other words, awareness is crucial, and so is speaking up about the specific struggles women face – the social as well as the physiological aspects. If you or a woman you know have an unusually heavy or painful period, don’t suffer in silence. Be as dramatic and overreacting as you feel like and demand the examinations you think are needed. If you find yourself asking whether that much pain is normal… it probably isn’t.

[1] http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/health-news/how-sexist-stereotypes-mean-doctors-ignore-womens-pain-a7157931.html