Wear a Gown: Recognizing the Signs of Often Very Painful Endometriosis

SAN ANTONIO. Premenstrual syndrome is just one of the many things that accompany a woman. But endometriosis is when the glandular tissue that is inside the uterus is outside. And for many women, this can be very painful.

“Pain shouldn’t limit your ability to live a normal life, participate in activities, and there are things we can do to help,” said Dr. Ann Porter, an OB/GYN at the University of Public Health and an assistant professor at UT. Health San Antonio. She says that the disease is not only associated with physical pain. She told us, “Endometriosis can be associated with both increased depression and anxiety. And, of course, the stress of painful periods can itself cause some negative mood symptoms.”

Some of the risk factors for endometriosis are women who have never given birth, who began menstruating at an early age, women with late menopause, women with short and/or heavy menstrual cycles, and women with high estrogen levels. Dr. Porter added: “Family history affects a patient’s risk of developing endometriosis. If you have a first-degree relative, you are about seven times more likely to get endometriosis.”

Endometriosis affects about one in ten women. But this is a rough estimate. However, when women report pelvic pain or fertility problems, endometriosis is found in about 50% of cases. When this happens, the tissue that is inside the uterus can be implanted into the tissues that cover the pelvic organs, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Dr. Porter said: “Sometimes implants are located in the intestines, bladder and can be found in almost any part of the body.”

Some of the symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, pain with intercourse, pain during bowel movements or urination, excessive bleeding, and infertility. Dr. Porter told us, “It can affect the fallopian tubes, it can affect egg quality, and it can affect implantation.”

Dr. Porter also says that this disease can also be accompanied by dysfunction of other organs, so any woman who has pelvic pain should see a specialist as soon as possible.

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