.png)
Did you know that Endometriosis impacts 1 in 10 girls and women, and unmeasured numbers of transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals?
What is endometriosis?
According to EndoAct Canada, endometriosis is a gynecological condition that affects approximately 1 million people in Canada. Common symptoms include severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain and infertility. There is neither a definitive cause nor a known cure for endometriosis – symptoms are managed using a combination of medical and surgical care. Despite the burden of endometriosis, awareness of this condition is low because of menstrual stigma and taboo.
Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial lining of the uterus abnormally grows outside of the uterus forming implants, lesions or cysts in the pelvic cavity and sometimes in other regions of the body. This often leads to pain, scarring and other medical conditions depending where the lesions are.
Symptoms of endometriosis can include:
Pain - can be cyclical in a pattern consistent with the menstrual cycle
Pain with sexual activity
Painful bowel movements
Disabling or increasingly painful menstrual cycles
Pelvic pain at any time of the cycle
Back or leg pain during menstruation
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Constipation, diarrhea, or cycling between the two
Abdominal bloating
Nausea and vomiting
Painful bowel movement
Bladder symptoms
Bladder pain
Urinary urgency
Urinary frequency
Pain with urination
Fertility issues
Infertility
Recurrent pregnancy loss
Fatigue
If you suspect you or someone you know has endometriosis, the Endometriosis Network of Canada is an excellent resource including how to find a doctor who is knowledgeable and skilled in the treatment of endometriosis, support groups, educational resources, and how to get involved in raising awareness of this poorly understood condition.
You can follow this link for more information: https://endometriosisnetwork.com/information