Endometriosis - What You Should Know
Do you experience brutal periods, cramping, and maybe even a heavy flow month after month that you dread getting your period every month and wish there was a way to stop your period but still be able to have the option of conceiving when the right time comes? Maybe your family doctor has even thrown the word ‘endometriosis’ out there but hasn’t really explained what it is. This post is for you. Share it with anyone you know who has endometriosis or brutal periods too.
Regular painful periods and/or heavy bleeding are non-specific and can be a sign that something may be going on that should be investigated such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometrial cysts, adenomyosis, endometriosis, or, tumours. The focus here will be on endometriosis as 1 in 10 females have the condition [1]. Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue from the uterus lining is found OUTSIDE of the uterus. It can be found on the ovaries, in the fallopian tubes, in the abdomen, liver, gallbladder, and maybe even the nose. This endometrial tissue responds to estrogen in the same way as the endometrial tissue in our uterus lining. In the past, the condition was associated with estrogen dominance or an increase in estrogen levels relative to progesterone however now, new research is showing that endometriosis is actually an inflammatory condition that shifts estrogen metabolism. This can lead to more estrogen metabolites (even though overall estrogen levels are normal) that are proliferative rather than the healthy estrogen metabolites, yet on a blood test, estrogen shows up as normal. Estrogen metabolites like proliferative 16-OH estrogens are not able to be measured on a blood test and require a dried urine test, such a the DUTCH test, to assess. Endometriosis has also been shown to be associated with autoimmune diseases [2].
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Menstrual pain
Chronic pelvic pain
Back/leg pain during your period
Increased frequency to urinate
Infertility or recurrent pregnancy loss
Trouble conceiving
Fatigue
Pain with sexual activity
Gas, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation
Pain with bowel movements
Bladder pain
Shortened menstrual cycles around 24-25 days
Insulin resistance even with normal glucose or HbA1c
Breakthrough bleeding while on the hormone pill (OCP)
Nosebleeds (These can be cyclic towards the end of the period and around ovulation)
Read Part 2 - Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis here or skip part two and schedule a 15-minute FREE meet and greet by clicking below.
REFERENCES:
[1] The Endometriosis Network Canada (2022). Retrieved on April 4 2022 from https://endometriosisnetwork.com/
[2] Shigesi N, Kvaskoff M, Kirtley S, Feng Q, Fang H, Knight JC, Missmer SA, Rahmioglu N, Zondervan KT, Becker CM. The association between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Update. 2019 Jul 1;25(4):486-503. PMID: 31260048.
