People with endometriosis take an average of eight years to be diagnosed after the onset of symptoms.
One in 10 women suffer from endometriosis. This is a chronic disease that occurs when tissue that looks like the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body.
The condition is also known to lead to fatigue, pain when going to the toilet, pain during sex, and fertility problems, among other problems.
However, despite the prevalence of the condition and the severity of the condition, it is notoriously undiagnosed, with the average patient waiting eight years for an official diagnosis. Often the symptoms will be dismissed as side effects of menstruation.
“It can affect women of any age and is a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on daily life. Period pain is common and most women experience it at some point in their lives as a normal part of their menstrual cycle. Periodic pain occurs when the muscular wall of the uterus tightens, and is usually felt as muscle cramps in the abdomen, as well as pain in the back and hips,” says gynecologist Alexandra Alisova, especially for MedicForum.
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How to distinguish the symptoms
Diagnosing endometriosis can be tricky because symptoms can vary widely – some women have severe symptoms and others don't, and their symptoms can be similar to other conditions, including menstrual cramps.
Other common symptoms of endometriosis include Pain in the lower abdomen or back that usually gets worse during menstruation, pain during or after sex, pain when urinating or having a bowel movement during menstruation, feeling unwell, constipation, diarrhea, or blood in the urine.< “The most common way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is to undergo a laparoscopy, which allows surgeons to look inside the abdominal cavity. This will require a referral to the hospital from your doctor.” What is dangerous endometriosis and why it should not be ignored? MedicForum has previously written about the benefits of fermented foods.
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