

Should you experience any of these, it is always important to speak to a doctor. This content is not available due to your privacy preferences. This lack of discussion and shame are major reasons why this condition often goes undiagnosed, which can be extremely debilitating for the sufferer.Įndometriosis can begin around the same time as the first period which may lead a person to think a high level of pain is “normal” for them, when it could actually be caused by endometriosis or by another medical condition.Īnother reason a person might not recognise the symptoms of endometriosis as anything other than those commonly prevalent around menstruation, is that they are often cyclical, meaning they occur at the same time as the period. We’ve come a long way in terms of breaking down cultural taboos surrounding periods, but talking openly about a disorder that directly involves fertility and reproductive health is something that still invites controversy and presents a challenge.

In endometriosis, the tissue has no way of leaving the body and it can cause a lot of pain and lead to other complications, including infertility. In most cases, this growth happens on and around organs in the pelvic cavity, and the tissue in endometriosis acts just like it would inside the uterus: it grows, thickens and tries to shed with every menstrual cycle. Put simply, it is when tissue similar to that which grows inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside of the uterus. Here everything you need to know about endometriosis: So what exactly is endometriosis?
