Bindi Irwin revealed on social media last month that she had endured “insurmountable fatigue, pain, and nausea” for ten years prior to being diagnosed with endometriosis, a condition in which uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus, causing cramping and chronic pain.
In the US, women must receive effective diagnosis and care for an average of ten years. Among the 6.5 million women in the US who have the condition are Chrissy Teigen, Olivia Culpo, and Julianne Hough.
The prevalence of endometriosis is highest in women between the ages of 30 and 40. However, Dr. Mary Jane Minkin, a board-certified OB/GYN at Yale University School of Medicine and member of the PEOPLE Health team who answered questions about the condition, said that it could happen to women in their 20s and teens.
How does endometriosis manifest its symptoms?
If the tissue is deeply inserted, it may spread outside the uterus, causing heavier periods, pain in the bladder, pelvis, and belly, as well as excruciating pain during sex. In addition, these women typically have heavier menstrual periods. It can also result in infertility.
Why aren’t all women given diagnoses?
Most people are unaware of the relatively common condition known as endometriosis. According to measurements, endometriosis affects 10% of all women. A physician, however, might only be able to see it occasionally. There might not be any lumps in a woman’s pelvis when you check her.
A ultrasound might not detect it as well. An abdominal diagnostic laparoscopy is necessary in some situations. The degree of discomfort experienced by women also isn’t always indicative of their health conditions. I removed football-sized endometriomas from the woman without causing her any discomfort.
Are young women experiencing it more frequently now?
Some younger women might think that endometriosis is only a problem for older women. In addition, women in their 30s or 40s make up the majority of victims. In contrast, teenagers can understand it. Diagnoses for younger women took a while to come about. Just recognizing it and treating it is all we are doing.
Endometriosis can be managed in numerous ways.
Many different medicines are available to treat endometriosis. Many medications cause menopause because it is the most successful treatment. Squeezing can also be lessened by pills that prevent conception. Additionally, surgery is one of our treatments for it. Laparoscopy can be used to remove cysts or cauterize the tissue in order to reduce pain. If you stop treating it, it might come back. After several procedures, some women decide they’ve had enough and request a hysterectomy, which is extreme.
What conditions might increase your risk of developing endometriosis?
There is a tendency that is in fact inherited. Furthermore, women over the age of 40 are more likely to have endometriosis than pregnant women under the age of 20.
What ought women to do if they experience symptoms?
If you take a birth control pill, such as Aleve or Motrin, and still get cramps, don’t be afraid to visit a doctor. Inform them that you have tried your painkillers, are taking an anti-conception drug, and are still utterly hopeless. It would be best to approach a receptive person. You don’t have any intention of putting up with this.
