On average, 1 in 10 women worldwide suffer from endometriosis, but it can take up to 10 years to get a definitive diagnosis. How can the symptoms of the disease change over a woman's life? And how can you tell the difference between "normal" menstrual pain and endometriosis?
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) is found outside the uterus, such as on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder or bowel. The misplaced tissue, like the lining in our uterus, responds to regular hormonal fluctuations . It grows, breaks down and bleeds during menstruation, which triggers an inflammatory response and often leads to painful menstruation and a number of other unpleasant symptoms.
I have painful periods. Could it be endometriosis?
Menstrual periods are often accompanied by a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, moodiness, breast tenderness, or skin changes, and up to 50–90% of women worldwide experience painful menstruation at some point in their lives. ( 1 )
Pain and cramps during menstruation are a typical symptom of endometriosis. But while “normal” menstrual pain can be completely or partially relieved by over-the-counter medications, rest, warm compresses on the abdomen, gentle massage, herbs , or stretching, in the case of endometriosis, the pain can be so severe that it completely disables a woman from daily functioning and the usual procedures are not enough.
Other symptoms of endometriosis may include ( 2 ):
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chronic pelvic pain (during and outside of menstruation)
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pain during intercourse
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pain or discomfort when urinating or defecating
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fertility problems
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irregular menstruation
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heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding outside of the cycle
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fatigue and general exhaustion
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other gastrointestinal problems: bloating, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, and others
However, endometriosis often affects more than just the pelvic area; research shows that women with endometriosis have higher rates of depression and anxiety. ( 3 )
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms or suspect endometriosis or another health problem, contact your doctor as soon as possible to identify the causes of your problems in time.
You may not have heard of these menstrual symptoms. Read the full article here.
Endometriosis throughout life
Endometriosis can go through various changes throughout a woman's life, depending on hormonal fluctuations and life stages:
Adolescence
The first symptoms of endometriosis may appear as early as adolescence with the onset ofthe first menstrual period (menarche). At this time, the disease can be difficult to diagnose, partly because the severe menstrual pain that is often associated with endometriosis may be considered normal by many girls and adult women . Typical symptoms may include painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), abdominal pain outside of menstruation, and pain or discomfort during urination or defecation.
Reproductive age
Endometriosis is usually most active during the reproductive years because it is dependent on the hormonal cycle. The hormone estrogen promotes the growth of the endometrium, which causes inflammation and pain. Women may experience very severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and fertility problems. Many women also experience irregular periods or excessive bleeding during this period.
Pregnancy
Endometriosis symptoms may improve during pregnancy. During pregnancy, estrogen levels drop, and since endometriosis is largely dependent on this hormone, the usual pain or other unpleasant symptoms of endometriosis may subside or disappear for a while. However, once regular menstruation begins after childbirth, symptoms may return or even worsen due to hormonal fluctuations.
Menopause
As estrogen levels decline with age, endometriosis may become less active and symptoms may eventually disappear. However, even after menopause, some women with endometriosis may still experience some symptoms of the disease, especially if they are taking hormone replacement therapy, which can increase estrogen levels in the body.
Read how menstruation changes with age .
Endometriosis in the workplace
Endometriosis affects 10–15% of women of reproductive age worldwide and takes an average of 7–10 years to diagnose. ( 4 ) During this time, women often face chronic pain that can affect their daily lives, including work productivity.
The Femvie study shows that a quarter of women suspect they have some health complications related to hormonal health, which endometriosis may fall into. Almost a quarter of women in the questionnaire stated that menstrual pain regularly interferes with their work productivity. However, 64% of women do not feel any support from their superiors if they need to adjust working conditions during menstruation.
This data shows us how important it is to open up the topic of hormonal health in the workplace and talk more about menstrual-related issues, including conditions like endometriosis. We need to focus on how these issues affect women in the workplace and find ways for managers to provide support to help women navigate these challenges without sacrificing their productivity or health.
You can download the results of the Femvie study , including specific suggestions for improving working conditions during menstruation, in the PDF document Menstruation and menstrual hygiene in the workplace HERE .
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With love
Femvie team
