Endometriosis is very common but often misdiagnosed, affecting millions of women around the world. Sometimes, the symptoms are vague or confusing and many women believe their pain or discomfort is just a normal symptom of their menstrual cycle. Learning the early signs of endometriosis, however, is important for treatment and overall quality of life. Through this blog we will detail the signs and symptoms of endometriosis. Also, we will also discuss options available for endometriosis treatment in Mumbai. So, let’s get started. But first, let us understand what endometriosis is.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can form on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and on the lining of the pelvis, and in rare cases, on other parts of the body. Throughout the menstrual cycle, these patches act like uterine tissue: they thicken, break down, and bleed. This blood, however, does not leave the body, as menstrual blood does. This results in inflammation, pain, scarring over time, and sometimes infertility challenges.
Signs and Symptoms
Endometriosis will present differently for every woman. Some women can have severe symptoms, while others may have minor discomfort or none at all. The most common symptoms that every woman must know include:
1. Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea)
Severe and recurrent menstrual cramps are one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. The pain typically starts a few days before the period begins and can continue on throughout the cycle. The pain can consist of heaviness and discomfort in the lower abdomen and pelvis and lower back and may even radiate down the legs. Unlike normal period pain, this pain often becomes so severe that it interferes with daily activities or worsens with time.
2. Pelvic Pain Between Periods
Many women with endometriosis can suffer pelvic pain not only during menstruation. The sharp pain can present itself at any point in the cycle, making it difficult to ignore. Women often describe pain as heavy, burning, or throbbing, and it never entirely goes away.
3. Pain During Sex
Another symptom that many people experience is painful sex (dyspareunia). Whether from scar tissue or inflammation associated with endometriosis, the inability or pain of deep penetration can be intolerable and painful. Pain can occur before, during, or after sex and can be devastating at times, impacting relationships and intimacy. Are you experiencing this symptom? Consult Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi, a leading gynecologist in Mumbai at Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital, to get a proper diagnosis.
4. Painful Bowel Movements or Urination
Women sometimes experience pain while passing stool or while urinating, particularly during their periods. Endometriosis lesions can attach to the bowel, bladder, and rectum, which can result in sharp pelvic pain, constipation, diarrhea, bloating, and sometimes nausea. In advanced cases, there may be blood in stool or in urine.
5. Heavy or Irregular Periods
Women with endometriosis may experience increased bleeding, which can be heavier than their regular periods. Women may change their sanitary pads or tampons very frequently, develop clots in their menstrual blood, or have spotting or bleeding in between periods. This is also considered common and should be taken seriously.
6. Infertility or Difficulty Conceiving
Endometriosis can cause problems in conceiving. The inflammation and scar tissue of the disease can obstruct fertility due to interference with the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus, creating challenges with fertilization or implantation. Sometimes women are completely unaware of the disease until they start to try to conceive and go through fertility testing.
7. Fatigue and Lethargy
Fatigue is a symptom that is common but deemed less common. Daily pain, heavy bleeding, and inflammation can all lead to exhaustion. Women with endometriosis commonly report fatigue that does not improve with rest and simply persists.
8. Digestive Symptoms
Endometriosis is often confused for digestive conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of the abdomen include bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and nausea around the time of the menstruation cycle. Since many of the symptoms can overlap, endometriosis can remain undiagnosed and be mistaken for another condition altogether.
9. Lower Back / Leg Pain
Pain from endometriosis can travel to the lower back and down the legs when endometrial tissue grows near enough to nerves in the pelvis or lower body. The pain might be persistent or come and go around the time of your period.
10. Mood Changes, Anxiety, and Depression
Chronic pain and concerns about fertility have significant effects on mental health. Many women who suffer from endometriosis experience anxiety, mood changes, or depression as a result of the continuous physical and emotional burden.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters?
The consequences of delaying or dismissing the onset of symptoms as "just period pain" include the possibility of worsening pain, the development of ovarian cysts (endometriomas), or difficulty conceiving. Immediate diagnosis means better care, including medication for pain, hormonal treatment, or surgery.
Consult the expert gynaecologist in Mumbai at Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital
Searching for a leading gynaecologist in Mumbai to get treated for endometriosis? Consult Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi at Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital. The expert doctor offers a range of treatments for treating endometriosis, such as hormone therapy, progestin therapy, aromatase inhibitors, conservative surgery, and many more. For more details, consult Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi now.
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