When is bad period pain endometriosis?

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March is Endometriosis Action Week and the theme this yr is: may it’s endometriosis?

It’s an essential query, as a result of regardless of the situation affecting one in 10 girls and folks assigned feminine at start, in response to Endometriosis UK, it takes a mean seven-and-a-half years after first seeing a health care provider about signs for somebody to get a correct analysis. Lots of things play into this – together with the actual fact endometriosis is related to painful, heavy durations, which individuals are usually taught is simply ‘normal’.

“There can be a misconception that periods are meant to be painful, and they are heavy and can have this huge impact on your day-to-day life,” says Dr Stephanie Ooi, a GP working with Active Iron. “Whereas really, I would say those things are definitely a sign to go and see your GP.”

Endometriosis happens when cells just like those within the uterus lining develop outdoors the uterus. These lesions bleed (like what occurs throughout the uterus throughout a period), however as a result of the blood can’t escape, it might trigger irritation and scar tissue (adhesions) to kind, in addition to cysts.

In extreme circumstances, this course of could be widespread, affecting different organs and tissues all through the physique. As Dearbhail Ormond, founder & CEO of frendo, an app that helps individuals affected by endometriosis or awaiting analysis (and who additionally lives with extreme endometriosis herself), places it: “Endometriosis is a whole-body, chronic, inflammatory disease.”

Infertility is additionally related to the situation, and many individuals with endometriosis even have adenomyosis – the place the endometrial tissue grows contained in the uterus wall.

Unsure whether or not your period pain may very well be endometriosis? Here’s a more in-depth look…

Periods that intrude together with your life

So, what counts as a heavy and abnormally painful period?

Dr Ooi says: “If you’re on maximum-absorbency tampons, pads or a cup and you’re changing those every hour or so, and passing clots larger than a 10p piece quite regularly. And pain wise, if you’re getting to the point where you’re having to take regular painkillers and finding the pain quite debilitating and it’s having an impact on your day-to-day activity – for example, you’re not going for social activities, not going to the gym when you normally would, you’re having to centre your life around symptoms.”

Ormond factors out that in a survey by frendo of two,000 UK girls, 63% of endometriosis victims “were told they were lying about their symptoms”.

She provides: “Extremely painful periods are not normal, and not ok. Periods that interrupt work, school or your day-to-day activities are not normal. Women have historically been conditioned to accept a certain level of discomfort and pain when it comes to periods. My own endometriosis stage 4 diagnosis took 18 years to diagnose, with visits to more than 20 doctors, years of pain and feeling dismissed with many misdiagnoses along the way.”

Intense fatigue

Ormond says: “The fatigue experienced by many endo sufferers is way more intense than regular tiredness. More often than not, it’s a long-term feeling of exhaustion that affects sufferers both mentally and physically and can have a profound impact on people’s work and personal lives.”

Inflammation performs a component right here. As Ormond explains: “The body recognises the [endo] lesions are not normal and works extremely hard to eliminate them” – a course of which releases toxins. “These internal toxins are the main cause of fatigue for people with endo. In addition, living with chronic pain is another drain on the system, adding to the fatigue for many.”

Another issue is low iron. “Because you’re losing more blood essentially, your iron levels are getting depleted, so a lot of people also experience what’s called ‘menstrual fatigue’,” explains Dr Ooi. “Active Iron conducted a survey of 1,500 women, which showed that can have a huge impact.”

Some 74% of the ladies surveyed with endometriosis mentioned they’re affected by fatigue, whereas 84% reported a noticeable distinction of their capability to operate usually throughout their period.

Painful bowel actions and intestine points

If endometriosis impacts the bowel and rectum, going to the bathroom can change into excruciatingly painful. “This can often be a sign that endometriosis is growing into the bowel wall or surrounding tissue. As well as painful bowel movements, other signs can be constipation during menstruation, or pain during sex,” says Mr Amer Raza, marketing consultant gynaecologist at Cromwell Hospital, which has an International Centre for Endometriosis.

“When endometriosis spreads to the intestines, it presents many of the same symptoms as IBS and Crohn’s disease,” Raza provides – together with constipation, diarrhoea and nausea.

Severe bloating

Many individuals with endometriosis expertise ‘endo belly’ – “the term used to describe the uncomfortable, often painful, swelling and bloating linked with endometriosis,” says Raza. “It is rarely discussed but can be a distressing symptom.

“Bloating and fluid retention are common, and can be caused by a build-up of endometrial tissue which causes inflammation in the abdomen, trapped blood which can form cysts, or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth.”

It’s usually related to different signs too, together with fuel pain, nausea, constipation and diarrhoea, Raza provides, and may “cause the lower abdomen to swell for days or even weeks”.

Leg pain

“Endometriosis can cause leg symptoms such as numbness, throbbing, tingling, heaviness or pain when walking or exercising. It will feel different to muscle cramps or soreness and may become worse during a period,” says Raza. “There isn’t enough research into why endometriosis causes leg pain, but it’s believed it could be linked to endometrial-like tissue becoming trapped near the nerves, or endometriosis growing near the sciatic nerves.”

Bladder signs

Raza says it’s uncommon for endometriosis to have an effect on the bladder, however it might occur. “Symptoms for bladder endometriosis can include bladder irritation, bladder urgency, pain when the bladder is full, blood in the urine during a period, or pain in the kidneys,” he provides.

Get issues checked out

Endometriosis can differ and never everyone is affected in the identical means. It’s additionally essential to recollect the above signs can all be brought on by different issues too. If you’re involved, see your GP and get issues checked.