March is observed as Endometriosis Awareness Month to extend awareness in regards to the inflammatory condition that affects the day-to-day lives of around 190 million women of reproductive age.

Endometriosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the wall of the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows in different places like on ovaries or fallopian tubes. The endometrial tissues grow thicker in the course of the menstrual cycle and exit the body. The tissues growing outside the uterus also follow the pattern. Nonetheless, they don’t exit the body; as a substitute, the blood and tissues get trapped within the pelvic cavity, causing inflammation, scarring and irritation. The scarring and growth on ovaries and fallopian tubes over time cause infertility.

 It’s estimated that around 10% of girls of reproductive age suffer from endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a painful condition. Not all women exhibit noticeable symptoms and infrequently discover their condition only once they have difficulty getting pregnant. 

Although not completely curable, endometriosis could be kept under control with various treatment options, including pain relief, hormonal treatment and surgeries. 

Listed here are among the early signs of endometriosis:

 1. Pain:

• Painful menstruation – It’s essentially the most common symptom of endometriosis. Nonetheless, the severity of the pain doesn’t indicate the degree of the condition. Some women can experience extreme pain in periods, even with a light condition of endometriosis.
• Chronic pain within the lower back and pelvis – Abdominal pain or back pain during menstruation or in between the menstrual cycle is usually a symptom of endometriosis. Nonetheless, many ladies can mistake it to be normal period pain.
• Pain during or after sex – Around two-thirds of girls with endometriosis suffers from some type of issue during sex, including pain and discomfort. The intensity of the pain varies depending on where the endometriosis grows. If the endometriosis is behind the vagina within the lower uterus, it causes more pain in comparison with individuals who have them on the ovaries.
• Intestinal pain, pain during bowel movements and urination are also signs of endometriosis.

2. Heavy periods: Heavy and long periods are seen in many ladies with endometriosis but excessive bleeding during mensuration shouldn’t be at all times endometriosis.

3. Digestive issues: Endometriosis may cause digestive issues like bloating, constipation and gas. Women with endometriosis are at a greater risk of getting fibroids and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth that may cause bloating. As endometrial-like tissue builds up outside the uterus, it might probably result in inflammation within the abdomen, causing swelling and water retention.

4. Difficulty in getting pregnant:  Researchers have discovered that endometriosis causes infertility in a single in every two women. Endometriosis can lead to infertility as it might probably cause adhesions, scarring on fallopian tubes, inflammation in pelvic structures, changes within the functioning of the immune system, changes within the hormonal environment of the eggs and altered egg quality.