Endometriosis awareness month has arrived! Here is a week’s worth of shareable information. Another good link to share is our basic all About Endometriosis that has short and to the point information about endometriosis as well as links for more info. Keep that endo conversation going!
Endometriosis is found outside of the uterus. It can be on many locations both in the pelvis and outside the pelvis. Find more info on endometriosis locations here: https://nancysnookendo.com/locations-of-endometriosis/ and https://nancysnookendo.com/weird-places-endometriosis-has-been-found/
There are key differences in how endometriosis lesions differ from the lining of the uterus- which affects how it responds to its environment and to medications:. Find more info here: https://nancysnookendo.com/role-of-estrogen-receptor-%ce%b2-in-endometriosis/ and https://nancysnookendo.com/progesterone-resistance-in-endometriosis/
An estimated 11% of women are affected by endometriosis, although it is not restricted to only women. https://nancysnookendo.com/endometriosis-overview/
Despite the high incidence, diagnosis often delayed by 10 years due to symptoms being misdiagnosed or dismissed as normal menstrual cramps, by the lack of satisfactory biomarkers to diagnose, and by the definitive diagnostic standard being surgical visualization with histological confirmation. https://nancysnookendo.com/endometriosis-overview/
The symptoms of endometriosis can impact a person’s life in many ways. It can be costly in both medical costs and loss of ability to work. It can also affect relationships and a person’s sense of self. For more info, see: https://nancysnookendo.com/endometriosis-impact-on-work/ ; https://nancysnookendo.com/the-costly-burden-of-endometriosis/ ; https://nancysnookendo.com/the-personal-burden-of-endometriosis/
Pain can not only affect the ability to work and to attend school, it can affect a person’s ability to exercise, sleep, and be able to perform daily activities. https://nancysnookendo.com/insomnia-and-poor-sleep-with-endometriosis/
There are several theories as to the cause of endometriosis, but none have been proven. It has been seen in fetuses and has a genetic component. For more info, see: https://nancysnookendo.com/origin-theories-of-endometriosis/
Definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is through surgery with biopsies. Symptoms can indicate it, but there are many conditions with similar symptoms that overlap endometriosis. Response to hormonal medications is not reliable as a diagnosis. Ultrasounds and MRI’s can find endometriosis in some cases, but negative scans can not rule endometriosis out. For more info, see: https://nancysnookendo.com/diagnosis/