Let's uncover some surprising truths about Endometriosis.
But first, what is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic medical condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus, known as the endometrium, grows outside the uterus, causing pain and inflammation.
This tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other organs (including the lungs and brain). The condition often leads to severe menstrual pain, pelvic pain, and can contribute to infertility.
Although the exact cause of endometriosis is still unknown, it is thought to involve hormonal, immune, and genetic factors, and it primarily affects women of reproductive age.
Now let’s get to surprising Truth #1
⏳It takes an average of 7-10 years to get a diagnosis.
Getting an endometriosis diagnosis often takes a considerable amount of time, averaging between 7 to 10 years from the onset of symptoms.😳
This delay is attributed to a combination of factors, including the normalization of menstrual pain, lack of awareness among patients and healthcare providers, and the need for invasive procedures like laparoscopy to definitively diagnose the condition.
Many women experience dismissal or misdiagnosis of their symptoms, which can be mistaken for other conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Younger women are more likely to be dismissed with “bad periods” or a “low pain tolerance”, with no real treatment.
The prolonged period before diagnosis leads to worsening symptoms and decreased quality of life.
The earlier Endometriosis can be diagnosed, the more effective the treatment options can be. There are 4 stages of endometriosis progression, but the stage does not necessarily correlate to the symptom severity.
🚩But it gets worse. Even after waiting 7-10 years to receive a diagnosis, finding an effective treatment can take months or years after that, meaning Endo Warriors often suffer silently for decades.
📊Endo affects 5% - 10% of women, and between 50% and 80% of women with pelvic pain have Endometriosis.
Endo affects 5% - 10% of women, and between 50% and 80% of women with pelvic pain have Endometriosis. Yet, the research is very limited and the actual cause remains unknown.
What we do know is that endometriosis is a dysfunction of the immune system somewhat similar to an autoimmune condition.
In a healthy woman, the immune system should scavenge and remove these endometrial cells outside the womb before they cause issues. But with Endometriosis, the immune system doesn’t remove the cells while still creating an inflammatory reaction to them being outside of their normal designated area.
🚩 Endometriosis is a chronic condition with no known cure, and the medical industry has very few treatment options: hormonal contraceptives, pain medication, or surgery.
There are various types of surgery available for endometriosis. The most effective is an excision surgery by a skilled Endo surgeon, but even that can be temporary as the legions can grow back post-surgically. Surgery itself can cause increased scar tissue and painful adhesions.
👀A Hysterectomy is NOT a cure for Endo
It's important to note that a hysterectomy, which is often recommended as a treatment for endometriosis even to very young women, is not an effective treatment.
Why? Simply because the issue is outside of the womb to begin with. Some older women may choose to undergo an excision surgery & a hysterectomy to prevent its return, but for younger women this often causes several other complex symptoms later on.
Being presented with a hysterectomy at 18 as though it was my only option to ever experience relief from my symptoms was a deeply unsettling & traumatic experience. If you’ve been through that, I’m deeply sympathetic.
🚩The scientific evidence to back up a hysterectomy as an effective endo treatment is just not there. Doctors NEED TO STOP perpetuating this lie.
And if you have undergone a hysterectomy, especially at a young age, and found out only afterwards that it didn’t cure your symptoms, the grief of what you have lost is real.
But there is still hope for symptom relief🌸
🤰🏻Pregnancy is also not a “treatment”
Pregnancy has historically been recommended as a treatment for endometriosis because the hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly increased progesterone levels, can temporarily alleviate symptoms and halt the progression of endometrial tissue growth.
However, this recommendation is flawed and outdated as it overlooks the fact that pregnancy is not a guaranteed or long-term solution, and it is not a feasible or appropriate option for many women, especially those who struggle with infertility due to endometriosis.
🚩Suggesting pregnancy as a treatment can trivialize the condition and ignore the need for effective interventions tailored to managing the disease and improving quality of life.
There is HOPE🎗️
We don't yet know the cure for endo, but there are holistic treatments that can be highly effective.
I know the struggles, I am an Endo Warrior.
And I have proved immense relief from a holistic & collaborative approach to endometriosis.
⚠️It would be easy for me to list a bunch of “hacks” here, but the truth is that its different for everyone and some of the highly specialized & potent supplements that can be highly effective aren't safe or suitable for everyone.
Dear Warrior, there is HOPE!
📍Ready to take the first step towards healing?👇
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