what is endometriosis?

Whenever I tell people I have endometriosis, they always ask me what it is and for the longest time I struggled to explain it because there is so much misinformation out there. I am here to answer some of the most popular questions I receive about endometriosis.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please consult with your doctor before making any medical decisions.

So what exactly is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is tissue similar to the lining of the uterus that grows outside of the uterus. Although similar, endometriosis lesions are different than the endometrial tissue that exists and sheds inside the uterus.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Severe pain during menstruation

Pelvic or abdominal pain not associated with menses

Low back and/or leg pain

Pain with sex

Painful bowel movements

Stomach issues

Fatigue

Infertility

Frequent urination

Pain with breathing

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

The gold standard is excision surgery. Some doctors, like mine, diagnosed me based on symptoms. You cannot get a definite diagnosis without excision surgery, as tissue needs to be sent to lab to be verified as endometriosis.

How is endometriosis treated?

Treatments include:

Excision surgery

NSAIDS

Narcotics

Birth Control

Hormonal medications that induce menopause

Ablation surgery

Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy

Diet changes

Pain Management

Is there a cure for endometriosis?

Unfortunately, there is no cure at the moment. We are all hoping for one someday soon.

Where can endometriosis be found in the body?

To date, endometriosis has been found on every single organ in the body.

Who can get endometriosis?

Anyone can get endometriosis. It is estimated that 1 in 10 women have endometriosis. Endometriosis has been found in men, women, and non-binary people.

Thanks for stopping by!

Next time I will be talking about my personal endometriosis symptoms and treatments.

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