Uncovering 4 Little-Known Symptoms of a Common Women’s Ailment
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Pelvic pain, heavy periods, and pain during sex are common symptoms of endometriosis.
However, the symptoms of the disease, which affects one in ten women of childbearing age in the UK and the US, can vary greatly.
This can range from pelvic problems to fatigue and difficulty conceiving. Here MailOnline reveals four lesser-known signs of Endometriosis Awareness Month.
The debilitating condition, which affects 176 million women worldwide, causes endometrial-like tissue to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes, causing inflammation and pain.
“It was difficult to diagnose endometriosis because the symptoms can vary so much. In some women, symptoms may be severe. Their symptoms can be similar to other conditions, including menstrual pain,” explained Bina Mehta, a pharmacist at Boots.
bowel problems
Although it is a condition that affects the uterus and is usually associated with menstrual pain, it can also cause bowel problems.
For this reason, endometriosis is often mistaken for IBS due to digestive issues caused by conditions such as abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation.
According to nutritionist Dr. Caitlin Hall, the symptoms are caused by endometrial tissue sticking to the intestines and causing inflammation, which can lead to symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
She adds that in severe cases, endometrial tissue can cause intestinal blockage, leading to constipation, nausea, and even vomiting.
Pharmacist Mehta warns that in some cases, endometriosis can cause blood in the urine or stool during the menstrual cycle.
“While there is no cure, there are treatments that can help relieve symptoms, including pain relievers and hormone medications,” she said.
Tired
Feeling tired is also a symptom of endometriosis.
According to Dr. Erim Teaser Ates, the chronic pain and inflammation associated with this condition can contribute to this fatigue.
She explained that for many women, these symptoms disappear and others find it difficult to identify warning signs.
Physical exhaustion can be a debilitating symptom of a condition that affects a woman’s daily life, stress levels, and sleep.
According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, the cause of fatigue is considered to be the body’s efforts to eliminate the condition.
Experts say fatigue is caused by the body’s attempt to fight off the inflammatory toxins caused by illness.
pain when urinating
In the same way that endometriosis tissue grows in the intestines, it can also grow around the bladder, causing irritation. This is why it can cause pain when urinating.
Bladder endometriosis can be superficial, when the tissue is on the outside of the bladder, or deeper, when the tissue is found within the lining or bladder wall.
According to the Center for Endometriosis UK, its symptoms include bladder irritation, a need to urinate more often, pain when the bladder is full, sometimes blood in the urine, and sometimes pain in the kidney area.
However, women with endometriosis who experience pain when urinating may not have uterine-like tissue on their bladder, which could be caused by a urinary tract infection, which is more common in women with endometriosis.
Jenny Saft, CEO and co-founder of fertility treatment platform Apryl, said: “Some women with endometriosis will experience recurring bouts of thrush as well as other gastrointestinal infections such as UTIs. This could be the result of an immune imbalance: many people seem to People with endometriosis have reduced immunity against other diseases, and thrush is more common in people with weakened immune systems.”
However, she adds, it is not yet known whether the decline in immune function contributes to endometriosis or results from endometriosis.
Problems with pregnancy
Many women with endometriosis struggle to conceive, but the cause is still not clear.
Due to a lack of research, the link between fertility problems and the condition is not fully known. But doctors believe that the cause may be in a condition that deforms the genitals.
This can lead to women needing surgery or IVF to get pregnant.
But Saft says it’s a misconception that people with endometriosis will never be able to conceive naturally.
However, she acknowledges that women with endometriosis may have a harder time.
“If you’ve been diagnosed and you’re still hoping to start a family, don’t be discouraged. It is estimated that 60 to 70% of women with endometriosis can conceive a child naturally,” she said.
Source: Daily Mail