All About Endometriosis
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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).
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For More Resources...
For more resources for Black women as it relates to Endometriosis, be sure to check out Endo Black.