Endometriosis is a chronic disease that occurs when the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) grows abnormally in other areas, such as the ovaries, the muscle of the womb, the bladder, the kidneys or the intestines, among others.
It is estimated that up to 10% of women of childbearing age suffer from endometriosis, although the true extent of the incidence is unknown since many women do not consult a specialist and endure the pain for years.
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that can manifest itself during the menstrual cycle with severe pain.
Symptoms of endometriosis
Endometriosis does not affect all women equally or with the same intensity. However, the main symptoms are:
- Severe pain one to two weeks before and during menstruation.
- Very heavy bleeding during menstruation.
- Loss of blood between periods.
- Pain during or after sexual intercourse.
- Pain when urinating or defecating, including light bleeding in urine or stool.
- Difficulty or inability to become pregnant.
One of the consequences that most worries those who suffer from endometriosis is the probability of becoming pregnant. It is estimated that between 30-40% of patients with endometriosis may have difficulty in having a spontaneous pregnancy, but this does not mean that they are sterile.
Even so, it is very important to diagnose the disease as early as possible, not only to mitigate the symptoms, but also to prevent or decrease its progression and also to increase the chances of a future pregnancy.
Diagnosis
The specialists at Women’s CD recommend seeing a specialist in the presence of any or some of the symptoms listed above. It is important to go to a center specialized in this disease since the delay in the diagnosis of endometriosis is 8-10 years on average, affecting very negatively the quality of life of the patients who suffer from it.