WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT?
The most common location for these endometrial growths are in the abdomen and usually involves the ovaries, fallopian tubes, ligaments which support the uterus, the outside of the uterus and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Sometimes Endo can be found on the intestines or in the bladder, the rectum, vagina, the cervix and the external genitalia.
In addition to the pain caused by Endo, other complications can arise depending on the location of the growths and the severity of the Endo. These growths can rupture and spread Endo to new areas. They can cause intestinal bleeding or obstruction, interfer with bladdler functions and other medical problems.
One of the most puzzling aspects of Endo is that each case is different which makes researching treatment options more difficult. Standard treatments which work for some will not work for others. Also the amount of Endo present has no direct impact on the amount of pain a woman will suffer. Some women may have extensive Endo and experience very little pain while others may have only microscopic amounts of Endo and suffer severe pain.
SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH ENDO
The most common symptoms of endo are pain either before and during periods which are worse than normal cramps, pain during or after sexual activity, infertility and extremely heavy bleeding during periods. Other symptoms may include fatigue, painful bowel movements and lower back pain during periods, and diarrhea and/or constipation and other intestional problems. Many women with endo also experience a wide range of immune disorders which can include, but not limited to, asthma, allergies, eczema and other auto-immune diseases. Infertility results in about 30-40% of women with endo. The symptoms associated with Endo are similar to so many other medical problems and that is why getting an accurate diagnosis is difficult.
MYTHS ABOUT ENDO
Only women in their 30's and 40's get endo.
Endo was once referred to as the "Career Woman's Disease". Well-educated women had put off childbearing until their careers had been established only to find that they had difficulty becoming pregnant or they were infertile. These "baby-boomers" began demanding better medical care and answers to their medical questions. Better and more thorough care resulted in the diagnosis of endo, thus it was believed to have occured because the women had delayed trying to get pregnant. However, Endo has been widely documented in women of all ages.
Non-white women cannot get endo.
The assumption that non-white women could not get Endo has been shown to be untrue. Often, in the past, non-white women were not getting the kind of medical care needed to correctly diagnose Endo.
Young women cannot get endo.
Endo attacks women of ALL ages, all ethnic backgrounds, and all socio-economic levels. The idea that young women, including teenagers, could not get Endo was probably the result that these young women suffered their "monthly female pain" in silence and did not get pelvic exams until the disease had progressed. Remember it wasn't that long ago that discussing a "female" problem was a major faux paus and even when they did bring this up with a doctor - who was usually male - they oftened were told that "it's just part of being a female and you have to deal with it." Sadly, even today, that is the response that many women, especially teenagers, still receive from their doctors.
Menstrual pain is normal.
It is normal for some women to experience a little monthly cramping with their periods. However, pain that keeps you from participaing in your typical daily activities is NOT NORMAL.
Having a baby will cure endo.
There is no cure for Endo. As stated before, Endo is a puzzling disease and a relatively small number of women with Endo find they no longer have symptoms after childbirth. Doctors are still unable to explain why these symptoms cease for some women. But childbirth is not a guaranteed cure for Endo.
Having a hysterectomy will cure endo.
As stated before, there is no cure for Endo. In many cases, a complete hysterectomy will relieve the symptoms of Endo. However, if the endo is located in other areas such as the bladder or intestines, a hysterectomy will not do anything for the pain caused by endo.
Endo isn't a serious disease.
Fortunately, Endo is not a killer disease like cancer. However, the impact of the severe, often dibilitating pain that can accompany Endo can cause extreme emotional distress not only for the sufferer but for her entire family. Sometimes a woman with Endo can no longer perform her normal daily life functions such as going to work or school, caring for their families or for themselves. As we begin the 21st century, it still takes an average of six years to get a definitive Endo diagnosis. During that time, the woman and her family, may also endure financial hardships while trying to find a diagnosis or treatment. She may also endure relationship problems because those closest to her cannot "see" or understand the pain involved. These people often think she should just snap out of it and get on with her life. When that isn't possible, they often break off the relationship or friction is created within the family unit.
