Endometriosis - the silent life sentence

I was diagnosed with severe stage Endometriosis at just 20 years old. Being told it's highly unlikely that I will be able to conceive is extremely upsetting when your young. I'm trying to turn a negative into a positive and raise awareness about this condition; Endometriosis - the silent life sentence
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The majority of people have never heard of Endometriosis, let alone the terrible treatment options, side effects from medication and the effects it has on mental health.

Endometriosis is a condition affecting women, in which cells that normally line your womb (uterus) grow outside the lining of your womb. These cells go through the same monthly changes as the womb lining itself, sometimes swelling and bleeding into your body.

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary. You may have no symptoms at all. The most common symptom is chronic pelvic pain that feels like period pain. A chronic illness is one that lasts a long time, sometimes for the rest of the affected person’s life.

The common symptoms of Endometriosis are:

Chronic pelvic pain
Back pain,
Extreme tiredness
Heavy/irregular periods,
Weakened immune system,
Low  mood/depression
Painful urination.

Endometriosis is a serious health condition. Various complications include:

The bleeding can form bands of scar tissue (adhesions) that can attach to the organs in your pelvis and abdomen. Your fertility may be reduced. This could be due to adhesions forming on or near to your ovaries or fallopian tubes, or because the endometriosis changes how well your womb functions, or there may be no obvious cause. Endometriosis increases your risk of getting ovarian cysts. These can bleed or rupture, causing severe pain. Endometriosis of the intestine can cause your bowel to become blocked or twisted. You may be at an increased risk of certain types of cancer, particularly ovarian cancer.

Professionals do not know what causes Endometriosis. The current literature emphasise that a family history, a weakened immune system and retrograde mensuration may contribute to the development of this condition.

There are various treatment options that may reduce the pain associated with this condition. Hormonal pills, early induced menopause medications, pain killers and surgery may be used.

Surgery can remove areas of endometriosis. This can help to improve your fertility if the endometriosis is interfering with your womb and ovaries.There are different types of surgery, depending on where the endometriosis is and how extensive it is. Your gynaecologist can cut away the endometriosis, or he or she can destroy it with heat from an electric current or a laser (endometrial ablation).
Surgery can usually be done by keyhole surgery (laparoscopy – the same procedure you will have had during your diagnosis). Your gynaecologist will make small cuts in your abdomen and then use a laparoscope (a narrow, flexible, tube-like telescopic camera) to view the inside of your pelvis. He or she will use special keyhole instruments to remove the endometriosis.
If you have severe and extensive endometriosis, you may need to have open surgery (a laparotomy), in which your gynaecologist will make a larger cut in your abdomen. However, you will be offered keyhole surgery whenever possible.

If you have very severe symptoms, your doctor may advise you to have an operation to remove your womb (and sometimes your ovaries). This is called a hysterectomy.

With over 1.5 million women in the UK suffering from this painful condition Endometriosis UK believe it is essential that those affected by it can find support and information.

Endometriosis UK is the leading national charity dedicated to providing these services. Our information section is full of advice about the condition, how it may affect you and what you can do to help treat it.

For more information, please visit the Endometriosis UK charity: www.endometriosis-uk.org

They provide a large range of support from our local groups across the country to the helpline. These services are a brilliant resource as they are run by our amazing volunteers, all of whom have been affected by the condition. We work hard to increase understanding of endometriosis through campaigning, awareness-raising initiatives and research.

Credited by the Endometriosis Charity