Debunking The Most Common Misconceptions About Endometriosis

Photo by Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

Endometriosis affects around 155,000 women in this country – and yet, so many of us know so little about it.

Endometriosis is a long-term condition that varies in severity and can impact women of any age. It’s a chronic inflammatory disease where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places. Some people can continue to lead a normal life after the diagnosis, but for others, it can significantly impact their quality of life.

Dr Anne Marie Coady, Gynecological Radiologist at Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic, says that it can take an average of eight years for a person to receive a diagnosis after initially presenting with symptoms of endometriosis, meaning women are often left suffering for much longer than they need to.

She says that there are many reasons for this, but a large factor is the false information or lack of education around the disease.

One of these misconceptions is that endometriosis can only affect the reproductive organs. Dr Coady clarifies this myth, describing how invasive the disease can really be.

She says: “With this condition, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other areas leading to inflammation and scar tissue developing in areas quite distant from the pelvis including the liver and lungs in addition to the bladder and ureters, as well as the bowel including the appendix.”

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Another false perception people tend to have about endometriosis is that it can only be diagnosed through key-hole surgery. Dr Coady explains how this is not always necessary, and that a straightforward ultrasound is a perfectly effective method for diagnosing potential endometriosis or detecting any other causes of pain.

Perhaps the greatest misconception is around symptoms, with many often thinking that abdominal pain, or severe period pain, is the main or only sign of the disease.

In fact, there are a number of different symptoms of endometriosis, including (and not limited to);

• Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
• Pelvic pain (that radiates down the legs or up the back)
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Bowel problems (bloating, constipation, painful bowel movements)
• Fatigue
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Painful urination
• Infertility

According to Dr Coady: “Not all pelvic pain is endometriosis, but if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should contact your GP. Your GP can assess your symptoms and refer you to a specialist for further investigations if required.”

There are many ways that the disease can be treated, from pain management to hormonal treatment, to surgery in some cases.

Often times health problems considered ‘women’s issues’ tend to go overlooked and under-discussed, and endometriosis is no exception. So this Endometriosis Awareness Month, why not spark a conversation with the women in your life?

You might be surprised at who has been dealing with the illness in silence.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Find out more here. 

Words by Sorcha Lynch 

• endometriosis
• health