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All About Endometriosis
#WeWearYellow
The Facts
What Is Endometriosis
Effecting more than 10% of people with periods, and sometimes causing infertility, Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (Mayo Clinic 2019).
Endometriosis has been known to wreak havoc in the reproductive system, in severe cases fusing the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder and colon-rectal region together. Though rare, their have been documented cases of Endometriosis tissue found on the lungs.
Stages of Endometriosis
- Stage 1: Minimal
- Stage 2: Mild
- Stage 3: Moderate
- Stage 4: Severe
The stage is based on the location, amount, depth & size of the endometrial tissue. This includes the spread of the endo tissue, the involvement of pelvic structures in the disease, the extent of pelvic adhesions & the blockage of fallopian tubes (JH2021).
Are You Feeling Symptomatic?!
Everyone's body may respond different to Endometriosis. Some well known documented symptoms include:
- Chronic cramps & abdominal pain.
- Joint and muscle pain (legs, back, knees & shoulders)
- Bloating
- Digestive issues (painful bowel movements)
- Nausea
- Heavy bleeding
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Fatigue
- Brain fog/forgetfulness
- Insomnia
- Painful sexual intercourse
- And more...
How Is Endometriosis Diagnosed?!
A diagnosis of endometriosis can only be certain, though, when the doctor performs a laparoscopy, biopsies any suspicious tissue and the diagnosis is confirmed by examining the tissue beneath a microscope. Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera at the end, is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. Laparoscopy is also used to determine the location, extent and size of the endometrial growths (JH 2021).
Other Examinations:
Other examinations that may be used in the diagnosis of endometriosis include:
- Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs
- CT scan: A noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure that uses a combination of X-rays and computer technology to produce horizontal, or axial, images — often called slices — of the body to detect any abnormalities that may not show up on an ordinary X-ray
- MRI scan: A noninvasive procedure that produces a two-dimensional view of an internal organ or structure (JH 2021).
For More Resources...
For more resources for Black women as it relates to Endometriosis, be sure to check out Endo Black.