If your period regularly knocks you off your feet, causing you to cancel plans or miss work, it might be more than just bad cramps. About 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have endometriosis, which can cause heavy and painful periods.
Visit with our experienced OB/GYN physicians at Women’s Health Services in Arlington or Grand Prairie, Texas, to get screened for endometriosis and other gynecological concerns.
Endometriosis happens when tissues similar to the lining of the uterus grow outside your uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or other areas in your pelvis. This tissue displacement can lead to painful symptoms and impact your menstrual cycle. It can also cause difficulty getting pregnant.
Endometriosis Awareness Month (March) spotlights endometriosis as a gentle reminder to get screened for this often underdiagnosed women’s health condition.
The following are symptoms of endometriosis to be aware of:
You might have no symptoms of endometriosis or even realize you have it until you have difficulty getting pregnant.
What constitutes heavy periods can vary from woman to woman. However, heavy bleeding is generally described as:
Whether or not heavy bleeding is caused by endometriosis, it’s still important to get evaluated by a specialist to determine all possible causes and ease your symptoms.
The cause of endometriosis isn’t fully clear, but it could be linked to genetics, being aged 20-40, or having a biological family member with endometriosis. Symptoms may decrease after menopause.
Other risk factors include never having children, periods lasting longer than 8 days, and short menstrual cycles with fewer than 27 days between periods.
Your Women’s Health Services specialist can screen for endometriosis during a routine women’s wellness exam. We perform a pelvic exam, review your symptoms and medical history, and may order an ultrasound, MRI, or other imaging procedures.
A laparoscopy uses a tiny camera to look inside your pelvis and confirm a diagnosis using a tissue biopsy.
Your individualized endometriosis treatment plan may consist of medications, hormone therapies, or a medical procedure to remove displaced tissues. Endometriosis sometimes goes away on its own, especially after menopause, but treating it can relieve bothersome symptoms and improve fertility.
Learn more about endometriosis screening and treatment at Women’s Health Services by contacting our office nearest you. Call us or request an appointment online today.
