Do You Know the Symptoms of Endo?
Endometriosis affects nearly 1 million Australians.
😳
For many of these sufferers, symptoms start to rear their ugly head during teenage years.
Yet, devastatingly, it still takes around 6.5 years for most women to get a proper diagnosis, and start to receive the correct care, support and education that they need.
Is this good enough?
No, clearly not! (I hope you’re shaking your head along with me there?!)
One of the key things we need is better awareness about what Endometriosis can look like, so that women can recognise the condition, and seek treatment.
So today, let’s highlight what Endo symptoms might look like.
symptoms of endometriosis
Painful Periods:
Pain around the time of your period is super common. Most of us can relate to having bloating, aching, and discomfort around the lower abdomen when it’s that time of the month.
But: if you find yourself doubled over in agony, every month, with period pain that impacts your ability to function in every day life - this needs attention. Endometriosis can be the cause of excruciating cramps, that make even getting out of bed feel like an enormous task.
Chronic Pelvic Pain:
For many endo sufferers, that ‘pain’ in the abdomen is not just there during your period. If you feel like there's a constant ache in your pelvic region, that just won't go away, it could be a red flag for endometriosis.
Pain During Intercourse:
Sex Should Not Be Painful. It shouldn’t.
But if it is?
It could be a sign of many things, but one of them is Endometriosis.
If you are wincing in pain every time things get intimate, it might be worth exploring whether endometriosis is to blame.
Heavy Periods:
It can be hard to work out what is ‘normal’ for your period, as it can vary a lot from woman to woman.
But, as a guide, if you are having to change your pad or tampon more than hourly, or your period is lasting more than 7 days, you can feel pretty confident that this is a ‘heavy’ period.
Heavy periods can be a sign of endometriosis.
Infertility:
This one's a tough one. Endometriosis can interfere with your ability to conceive. If you've been trying to get pregnant without success, it might be worth getting checked out to see if endometriosis could be playing a role.
Please keep in mind that having one or a few of the above symptoms does not automatically mean that you have Endometriosis.
I highly recommend that if the above points are relevant to you, please use them to broach the topic of Endometriosis with your GP, or your Pelvic Health Physio.
The sooner you seek help for your symptoms, the sooner a path can be made towards overcoming these issues.
Our Pelvic Health Physio Brooke is available at bodyBEgood on Mondays, for assessment and treatment planning for all things Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain.
Book your confidential, relaxed and professional appointment with Brooke by clicking here.