![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IPPF-300x218.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSource: International Planned Parenthood Federation.<\/p>\n
Introduction: While it can be difficult to identify endometriosis, many people around the world
\nsuffer the effects of it.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Here we explain to you the causes, symptoms, impact, and diagnosis and
\ntreatment methods.<\/p>\n
Definition: Endometriosis (sometimes shortened to \u201cendo\u201d) is a condition where endometrial tissue
\nthat is usually found in the uterus grows in other parts of the pelvis, such as the ovaries and fallopian
\ntubes. Many people around the world suffer from the effects of endometriosis, yet it can be difficult
\nto identify. Here we explain the causes, symptoms, impact, and diagnosis and treatment methods.
\nSymptoms and causes: The symptoms of endometriosis vary greatly, as does the intensity of them,
\nwhich means that some people do not even know they have it. However, these are the main
\nsymptoms you should look out for:
\n\u2022 strong period pains
\n\u2022 pain in your lower tummy or back, which usually worsens during your period
\n\u2022 pain during or after sex
\n\u2022 pain when going to the toilet during your period
\n\u2022 nausea, constipation, or diarrhea during your period
\n\u2022 blood in your urine during your period
\n\u2022 irregular periods, and\/or heavy periods which soak through several pads\/tampons etc, and
\nperhaps even through your clothes
\n\u2022 difficulty getting pregnant
\nThe causes of endometriosis are unclear. It could be genetic, or a problem with the immune system.
\nIt could also be linked to the menstrual cycle, or something else entirely \u2013 or a combination of all of
\nthese. At this stage, no one fully understands why endometriosis happens, which unfortunately may
\ncontribute to the problem of identifying it in people.
\nImpact: Endometriosis can affect anyone with a uterus who has periods, and it can last for years. A
\nmain complication is impaired fertility, and approximately a third to a half of women with
\nendometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant. Endometriosis can be physically very painful for
\nsome people, to the point that they are unable to carry out their usual day-to-day activities. As a
\nresult, they might require time off from work or school to rest and recuperate. It can also lead to
\nmental health problems, and some people consequently develop depression.
\nDiagnosis: Many people report that their concerns are sometimes dismissed as \u2018bad period pains\u2019,
\nrather than the specific condition of endometriosis. This is not right, and you deserve for your
\nexperience to be taken seriously so you can get the medical care you need. If you think you have
\nendometriosis, make a diary of your symptoms (physical and emotional), noting when they happen
\nand to what extent. Then make an appointment to see a health practitioner, and take this diary with
\nyou to help give them a better picture of your experience.
\nAs well as assessing your diary, the health practitioner may perform tests on your tummy or vagina,
\nor an ultrasound, to diagnose you. It can be difficult to identify endometriosis, as the only way to be
\ncompletely sure you have it is to undergo a minimal invasive surgical procedure called a laparoscopy.
\nThis is where a tube is passed through a small cut in your tummy, so that a medical professional can
\nsee directly if and where excess tissue is forming. The laparoscopy is usually the final examination
\nthey will suggest performing, and it\u2019s important to note that there are treatment methods that can
\nbe explored without or before having this procedure, which are outlined below.
\nTreatment: While there is no cure for endometriosis, there are treatment options to help manage
\nthe symptoms including: physical therapy, specifically for your pelvic floor painkillers (such as
\nibuprofen) certain hormonal contraceptives (such as the Pill, and the IUS) surgery to cut away
\nendometrial tissue (if you are living with infertility, this may also help increase your fertility) a
\nhysterectomy (to remove part or all of the womb) \u2013 this is only for people for whom fertility is not a
\nconsideration.
\nNote that, your healthcare provider will be able to discuss all these options with you in full.
\nIt is worth bearing in mind that in some cases the symptoms of endometriosis might improve on
\ntheir own. But in the meantime, you do not need to suffer in silence \u2013 make an appointment with
\nyour healthcare provider to discuss endometriosis if you think you may have it.
\nWe are on standby for you here at PPAG. Visit us now or call 0800202010.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Source: International Planned Parenthood Federation. Introduction: While it can be difficult to identify endometriosis, many people around the world suffer the effects of it. Here we explain to you the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":20241,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[370,371,372],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20260","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-news-article","category-featured","entry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":20241,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/IPPF-300x218.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20260","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20260"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20260\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20260"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20260"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ppag-gh.org\/nu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20260"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}