During the month of March, Endometriosis Awareness takes the spotlight with a mission to increase public knowledge around a disease that currently affects an estimated 176 million women around the globe.

In case you’ve never heard of it, endometriosis is a disease that occurs when the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside the uterus.

This abnormal growth of tissue can commonly be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments that support the uterus, as well as areas between the rectum and vagina.  

Effects of Endometriosis

When someone suffers from endometriosis, it means that the endometrial tissue, despite not being in the uterus, still responds to the menstrual cycle. As a result, each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, then sheds.  

Unlike the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, endometrial tissue cannot be discharged from the body through vaginal bleeding.  

This results in inflammation, swelling, the formation of scar tissue, or internal bleeding.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

The symptoms of endometriosis typically present themselves during reproductive years- on average from age of 12 to 60 – and generally vary from person to person.

Despite this, common symptoms of endometriosis often include:

• Painful periods
• Heavy periods
• Pain in the lower abdomen, pelvis or lower back
• Bleeding between periods
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Infertility
• Persistent exhaustion and tiredness
• Discomfort when passing urine or faeces
• Bleeding from the rectum

Risk Factors and Treatment for Endometriosis

While a definitive cause for endometriosis has yet to be identified, there are risk factors that can make an individual more likely to develop the condition. These factors include:

• Family history of endometriosis
• Early age of menarche (first menstrual cycle)
• Short menstrual cycles (fewer than 27 days)
• Long duration of menstrual flow (more than seven days)
• Heavy bleeding during menses
• Delayed childbearing
• Defects in the uterus or fallopian tubes

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, effective treatments including medication, surgery and alternative therapies are available. Consultation with a medical professional is essential to determine the best options for each individual.