During endometriosis week there has been an increase in awareness of this disease that affects up to 1 in 10 women.  Unfortunately it presents with symptoms which are common in the normal population, including painful periods and heavy periods.   Because of this, it can take quite a while before patients either complain to their doctor or seek further help.

Fortunately endometriosis can be treated, both surgically and using hormones and pain killers.   Because it is a progressive disease with worsening pain,  it can take 7.5 years for a woman to be diagnosed with endometriosis.   It is a condition where the lining of the uterus is found in areas where it shouldn’t be, such as on the ovaries, tubes and near the bowel or bladder.  In these areas it causes inflammation and irritation.   This can cause pain with periods, heavy periods, ovarian cysts, pain during sex, pain or bleeding with bowel motions and pain with emptying your bladder.   Sometimes the pain can be quite severe and tends to occur before periods begin.