What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This leads to an inflammatory reaction within the pelvis and abdomen. It affects 10-15% of female-bodied people and 35-50% of people struggling with pelvic pain and infertility (~200 million people). It is often referred to as the “great imitator” which leads to it being under-diagnosed or misdiagnosed, and contributes to why it often takes 7-20 years to be diagnosed.
What causes Endometriosis?
The cause of endometriosis is unknown. It is a complex relationship between genetics, inflammatory pathways, the immune system, and the endocrine system. Some research points to retrograde menstruation, some points to lesions existing from the time of birth.
What are the signs and symptoms of Endometriosis?
Some possible signs and symptoms include:
- Significant pelvic and lower abdominal pain, especially during the menstrual period
- Diffuse pain down the front of the legs
- Pain with sex, especially deep penetration
- Pain or burning with urination
- Heavy bleeding during periods or between periods
- Sometimes an absence of a period!
- Bloating
- Period or cycle-related bowel dysfunction including pain with bowel movements, constipation, nausea
- Vomiting that aligns with your period or ovulation
- Fatigue surrounding ovulation or your period
- Depression or anxiety
What does treatment include? How can physical therapy help?
Gold standard treatment: Excision of the tissue. Some exciting research is coming out about possible drug therapies, but those are many years from now.
Pelvic floor PT: Because people with endometriosis often experience frequent and intense pain, they develop tight and overactive pelvic floor muscles, which may worsen some of their endo-related symptoms. PFPT can be helpful before and/or after surgery, to help re-educate the person and their muscles to let go or relax out of the constant state of tension. PT can also be helpful for you to figure out how to exercise when you’re feeling great, or when your symptoms are flaring!
Resources to learn more about Endometriosis:
- The Endometriosis Summit
- iCareBetter.com
- The Pelvic PT rising: Endometriosis
Advice from our patients:
- Be patient, know your story, and keep telling it to doctors until you find the doctor who listens
- Listen to your body and rest even if it means saying no and people not understanding. Genuine people will be there for you and understand that you need to put your health first.
- Pain like this is not normal, don’t normalize it for yourself. Find someone who will listen
- Move as you can and hydrate
