ENDOMETRIOSIS 101.

SO, ABOUT ENDOMETRIOSIS..

If there’s one event that can have the girlies feeling like something is after their lives,  it’s being on their period.

Women have a range of symptoms and life experiences which can cause a range of discomfort and pain. Milder cramps tend to be normal with periods, but if you’re experiencing severe pain and a seriously heavy flow (like “ I have to change my pad every two hours or I’d bled through” kind of heavy), it might be

time to visit a doctor.

One cause of really horrible period symptoms is Endometriosis, a disease we are shining the light on in honour of March being Endometriosis Action Month. 

So, what are the facts? 

• Endometriosis is a chronic, often painful disease, which occurs where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body. Science has figured out the cause yet, although there have been links to genes and problems with the body’s immune/”disease fighting” system.

• About 10% of women worldwide live with Endometriosis, and it typically takes a long time to diagnose (about 8 to 10 years!) often due to a lack of awareness, normalisation of symptoms and the similar symptoms it shares with other diseases which it mimics like fibroids & irritable bowel syndrome.

• At the moment, it does not currently have a cure; however, there’s a bunch of treatment  options available which can help to manage it and help people with Endometriosis live better lives.  

• This condition mostly affects reproductive organs like the ovaries and tubes. In some cases though, it can affect the bowel and the bladder. It also affects fertility, and can cause mental health symptoms.

• Symptoms include: severe period pain which makes you unable to do any daily life tasks, really heavy period bleeding. Symptoms could also happen at any time, like constant pain in the lower tummy or back,  pain when you poo or pee, pain during or after sex, and extreme tiredness. 

What do we advise?

• Living with debilitating pain is not normal, and should not be accepted as “just the way things are”. If you or a loved one are having extremely painful and heavy periods with constant symptoms which really worry you, it’d be a good idea to book a doctor’s appointment.

• Seek help, advocate for having your symptoms investigated and your pain managed properly. You deserve to be taken seriously. 

There’s this short film about Endometriosis which recently won a BAFTA!

This is good news; more awareness about this disease could mean more funding for research into finding a cure and improving access to treatment options.

You can watch the documentary here. 

Thank you for reading, fellow Hot Girl! 

With love,

The Ara Nini Team