Endo: Have We Met?

Why the secret? We all bleed.
CHANCES ARE you have endometriosis, or know a woman who has it. Yet, it’s likely that you’ve never heard of it, or know very little about it. Hence, why endometriosis is referred to as the Hidden Epidemic.
Endo is affecting millions more female lives than breast cancer, yet there are no awareness-raising drives on it in my country. How about yours?
“But breast cancer can threaten you life!” So can endometriosis; in numerous ways.
*Brenda (*all names altered) contracted a uterine infection of the kind that plagues women with endo. The resulting fever sent her body into rigors, her mind into hallucinations, and eventually herself into unconsciousness. She finally came to on the “deathwatch” ward of our general hospital.
*Marsha collapsed on a public street after a cyst on her left ovary ruptured. *Trisha became so anemic she blacked out while driving her car. 
*Alicia was hospitalised for severe shock induced by agonising pain. Endo-coping women have seriously considered suicide during delirium brought on by absolute physical torment.
Whether it threatens to kill or not, endo equals anguish and is far too common to remain overlooked, misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Endo You? Ask Yourself


Pain: the most notable symptom
Is endometriosis still in the dark because of lack of interest? Or is there lack of interest because endo remains relegated to the dark?
The suggestion is that ignorance exists simply because endometriosis is a “newly discovered disease.” Actually, Dr. Von Rokitansky first gave details about endometriosis in 1860.
Part of the problem is  women have been conditioned to think that dysmenorrhoea is a naturally occurring result of womanhood. IT IS NOT!
Get insight into your own endo-status, by answering a few questions honestly.

DO YOU:
♛   Experience intense pain during your menstrual cycle?
♛   Have menstrual-like pain at times outside your cycle?
♛   Bleed heavily or excessively during your period?
♛   Bleed between your cycles, or “spot” a very dark fluid (termed “chocolate blood”)?
♛   Suffer unexplained anemia?
♛   Get migraine-like headaches with your ovulation?
♛   Experience unexplained dizziness, nausea, fainting?
♛   Sometimes have difficulty passing urine even when you feel a strong urge to go?
♛   Suffer from unexplained fatigue, yet still have problems sleeping?
♛   Feel a pressure pushing outward on your back, in your uterus and/or sphincter?
♛   Cope with your tummy getting so swollen sometimes you look months pregnant?

If you have responded yes to any even small combination of these listed symptoms there is a high chance you have endometriosis.
Visit your ob-gyn and put the possibility on the table. Talk about it with her/him, and clearly convey that you want to be checked for endometriosis. Do not be averse to getting a second opinion.

In beauty may you walk.

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