The symptoms of endometriosis are extremely diverse. This means that it is not easy to pinpoint the condition when a women first presents with symptoms. Fortunately, doctors are well-trained to diagnose the condition if a physical examination is performed. Normally, a physical examination and a few routine tests will provide a definitive diagnosis.
If you are concerned that you may have endometriosis, you shouldn’t worry too much about it until you consult a doctor and have the condition diagnosed. There is nothing worse than creating anxiety when it is not necessary. Worrying about endometriosis before understanding all the facts will not help at all. In fact, it will only serve to increase your stress levels.
As previously stated, there are many symptoms of endometriosis. Just because you have one or two of them does not mean you have the condition. The most common sign of endometriosis is a symptom called dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea manifests as pain before and during menstruation. Many women experience dysmenorrhea during their lifetimes – but this does not mean they have endometriosis. Normally, there are other symptoms present.
Painful bowel movements – which also could include constipation or other digestive problems – are often experienced by sufferers of endometriosis, and can be considered a significant warning sign. Dyspareunia, which is defined as pain during and after the act of sexual intercourse, is also a sign of endometriosis. Dyspareunia is likely due to patches of internal bleeding caused by the abnormal growth of the uterus lining. In addition, chronic pain – with or without sexual intercourse – in the pelvic region may be due to the invasion of tissue into areas not accustomed to such growth.
Another symptom of endometriosis is the onset of painful and or heavy menstruation cycles. These episodes are characterized by heavier than normal bleeding and abnormal cramping. The pain in highly acute cases can be so severe that hospitalization may be required. Chronic pain can also lead to radical lifestyle changes. The ability to go out and enjoy your life may be compromised so it is important to manage the condition before it reaches a destructive stage.
The most dreaded symptom of endometriosis is infertility. Women of reproductive age are often devastated upon learning that they may be unable to conceive. It can be a traumatizing experience, however, just because you have endometriosis does not automatically indicate that you will be infertile. Women with endometriosis can and do have children. But if the condition progresses to the later stages, infertility becomes a common outcome. Generally cases of endometriosis induced infertility are not treatable through fertility treatments.
Endometriosis is associated with a host of symptoms. It is important that you achieve a diagnosis before worrying about your symptoms. On their own, individual symptoms are usually nothing to worry about. But if you are experiencing more than one of the common symptoms there is a chance that you have endometriosis and you should take steps to find out as soon as possible. The condition occurs in four stages. If you can treat it and make some lifestyle changes early on, you may be able to control the growth of uterine tissue and keep your symptoms under control.
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