Did you know that, on average, an endometriosis diagnosis takes about 10 years? This is largely due to the wide net the common gynecologic condition casts.
The hallmarks of endometriosis often include painful sex, painful periods, and painful bowel movements. So, connecting these dots has been historically challenging.
Today, the medical world is catching up with endometriosis, and one of the leaders of this movement is our own Dr. Ulas Bozdogan. As our name suggests, Advanced Endometriosis Center is devoted to helping women navigate this frustrating and complicated condition, which affects about 11% of women of reproductive age.
Since March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, we want to raise awareness on the three Ds that are common with endometriosis — dysmenorrhea (painful periods), dyspareunia (painful sex), and dyschezia (painful bowel movements).
Dysmenorrhea is one of the most common side effects of endometriosis and affects nearly 62% of women with the condition. This period pain is a different beast from normal cramping, and we want to explain why.
When you have endometriosis, endometrial cells and tissues that normally grow inside your uterus grow in your pelvic and abdominal cavities. These misplaced tissues still react to hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycles, which means they thicken before each period. The problem is that they have nowhere to shed out.
As a result, these trapped tissues can create an inflammatory environment in your pelvic cavity, which can lead to heightened pelvic pain — pain that’s different from (and in addition to) your normal period pain.
Now let’s look at dyspareunia, or painful intercourse. This side effect is found in at least half of women with endometriosis.
The reason so many women experience painful sex when they have endometriosis is due to scar tissue. When the misplaced endometrial tissues and cells can’t shed out each month, they can become adhesions, or scar tissue.
A common spot for these adhesions is around your vaginal canal and in an area called the cul-de-sac, which separates your uterus from your rectum. In either case, intercourse can tug on these often-inflamed tissues and lead to pain.
Rounding out the trifecta of discomfort that can come with endometriosis is dyschezia. Painful bowel movements are part of the endometriosis landscape thanks to the adhesions we just mentioned.
If these scar tissues in your pelvic cavity affect your lower digestive tract, namely your bowel and/or rectum, you can experience painful bowel movements. In terms of numbers, some degree of dyschezia affects nearly 85% of women with endometriosis.
The reason we want to highlight these serious quality-of-life symptoms is to help women understand the entire picture. More importantly, the rates of depression and anxiety in women who experience these symptoms are much higher, so we want to set women on the right road for diagnosis and treatment.
For anyone in the tri-state area, that road should lead right to our door. Dr. Bozdogan has a vast amount of experience helping women successfully navigate all the symptoms of endometriosis, and we’re confident he can do the same for you.
For relief from the painful symptoms of endometriosis, please click here to set up a consultation at one of our conveniently located offices in New York City or Paramus, New Jersey.
