Battling endometriosis? Make sure you don’t fall prey to these myths

Endometriosis is a painful condition that many women go through, especially during their reproductive years. It can be a long-term condition that can have a significant impact on your physical health, emotional wellbeing, and daily routine. There is an increasing population of women who are being diagnosed with this condition. That’s why it is important to be informed and to take action on time. It is the need of the hour to get the facts right, and clear all your doubts regarding endometriosis. 

To gain important insights on this subject, we spoke to Dr Astha Dayal, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Meddo, Dr Astha Dayal Health Center. 

What is endometriosis?

Here’s what Dr Dayal has to say: “Women suffer from endometriosis when the endometrial tissue that lines the inside of the womb is found outside the uterus or various sites such as ovaries, bowel and the lining of the pelvis.”

Endometriosis triggers a chronic Inflammation reaction, resulting in pain and adhesions. While some women who suffer from endometriosis experience severe pelvic pain, upto 15-20 percent of women with endometriosis may have no symptoms at all. Some may even regard their symptoms as regular menstrual pain. 

Busting myths around endometriosis

Myth 1: It is okay to have painful periods

The severe period you go through is not normal, ladies! Most women experience some level of cramps and pain with endometriosis, but extremely painful periods are not normal. Dr Dayal suggests, “One should never ignore if the periods are too painful, as it can be a sign of endometriosis. However, it can also be a silent disease. At times, people do not feel any abnormality and the disease gets detected, only when a woman is trying to conceive.”

So, see your gynecologist to determine the root cause of your pain. 

Myth 2: Ultrasound is the best way to detect endometriosis

Dr Dayal says, “this is not true, sometimes it does not get detected in some tests, even a USG might not be able to identify it”. 

Assuming ultrasound is the best way to detect endometriosis is possibly the biggest myth about endometriosis. Unfortunately, for many women, it can take several years to get an accurate diagnosis. Ultrasound, CT scans, and MRIs do not tend to show endometriosis. 

Myth 3: Endometriosis cannot be treated

That’s not true. Endometriosis can be treated through medication, hormone therapy and surgery. 

According to Dr Dayal, “It is a progressive condition and gets worse with every period. Mostly, the treatment used to treat the condition consists of hormone pills, and contraceptives. When someone is trying to conceive, the surgical method is used. Until the time they are on medication, they won’t be able to conceive.” 

There is no cure for endometriosis. However, it can surely be managed with an appropriate line of treatment.

Myth 4: It is a form of cancer

The abnormal tissue that grows from endometriosis is not cancerous, but it can cause complications such as tiredness or chronic fatigue, bowel and urinary problems, and pain or cramping during menstrual periods. 

“People get scared as it is a recurring disease, however, it is not cancer and treatment is possible these days,” explains Dr Dayal. 

Myth 5: Women with endometriosis cannot become pregnant

Infertility can be one of the complications of endometriosis. Some women having endometriosis may find it difficult to get pregnant, as for pregnancy, an egg must be released from an ovary, travel via fallopian tube, become fertilized by a sperm cell and attach itself to the uterine wall to start developing. The endometriosis condition may deteriorate the quality of eggs, disturb the tubo-ovarian relationship and hamper implantation of a fertilized egg, thus contributing to reduced fertility. Still, some women with mild to moderate endometriosis can conceive and carry the pregnancy. 

So ladies, don’t believe these myths and keep yourself updated and healthy!