What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis; it’s a word derived from the ancient Greek alphabet.
Endo meaning “inside”, metra meaning “uterus” and osis meaning “disease”.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called “the endometrium”), is found outside the uterus, where it induces a chronic inflammatory reaction that may result in scar tissue.1

Endometriosis is a chronic Gynaecological condition. There are a few theories, but the cause is unknown. There is no cure.

A systemic condition

  • There are 4 stages of the condition based on the extent of the tissue growth
  • The severity of symptoms don’t always relate to the severity of the condition

Diagnosis

  • On average diagnosis takes 6-8 years2
  • Endo is commonly misdiagnosed for conditions such as IBS or even ‘just normal period pain’
  • The Gold Standard for diagnosis was via Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgery, performed by a Gynaecologist with excision experience. However, this is being reviewed and globally alternative diagnostic technologies are coming to the market.

Prevalence

  • Globally, Endometriosis affects over 190 million people assigned female at birth of reproductive age3
  • In Australia, the rate increases to 1 in 7 people assigned female at birth by the ages of 44-494

Symptoms
Symptoms can vary greatly from person to person. The most common symptom is pain:

  • painful periods
  • painful ovulation
  • pelvic pain
  • lower back pain
  • pain during or after sex
  • pain during bowel movements or urination

Other symptoms include:

  • heavy bleeding
  • irregular or long periods
  • spotting or breakthrough bleeds
  • fatigue
  • bloating & digestive disorders
  • food intolerances
  • constipation or issues urinating
  • infertility

Fertility

  • Endometriosis can cause fertility challenges in up to 50% of those diagnosed5
  • HOWEVER, many people with Endometriosis can still conceive naturally or with fertility treatments.

Symptom management

  • regulating or stopping menstruation with hormonal therapy (birth control pills or IUDs)
  • pain relief medicines
  • taking a multi-disciplinary approach, including diet, exercise and lifestyle changes
  • acupuncture & physical therapy

Some handy reference websites:

Endometriosis Australia

Endometriosis New Zealand

EndoZone

World Endometriosis Society

References

  1. https://www.worldendosociety.org/endometriosis/symptoms ↩︎
  2. Endometriosis web report 2023 by Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW)
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  3. Endometriosis Fact Sheet 2023 by the World Health Organisation (WHO) ↩︎
  4. Endometriosis in Australia Report 2023 by Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) ↩︎
  5. Endometriosis Australia’s downloads and resources – Endometriosis and Infertility Poster ↩︎