Endometriosis can be a huge problem for women all over the world. It currently affects roughly 1.5 million women in the UK alone, which is a large proportion of the female population. With so many people being impacted by this illness, however, it begs the question of whether enough people know about this condition.
Anyone can be impacted by this disease as some get it through their genes, whereas others develop it later in life. It can take up to seven-and-a-half years to develop too and so, being fully prepared for it at any time is vital.
Get to know what endometriosis is in our comprehensive guide below, which covers details of the condition and how you can alleviate the symptoms if you’re struggling with it. Read on to find out more.
What is endometriosis?
This is a condition that affects women for long periods of time. In short, this is when similar tissue from the lining of the womb begins to grow in different places like the ovaries or fallopian tubes. This can lead to sharp pain in the stomach and back as well as strong period pains and pain following sexual intercourse too.
What’s the current problem with endometriosis?
One of the main issues with this condition is that it goes untreated and is misdiagnosed frequently too, which means affected women can’t get the support they need to deal with it. According to a report, more than 75% of women are misdiagnosed with some other physical condition when the true issue they’re facing is endometriosis.
A misdiagnosis can lead to symptoms getting worse and going untreated for longer, which we know can be tough on you. So, if you’ve been misdiagnosed, then contact a specialist solicitor who may be able to help you in your time of need.
Can Endometriosis Affect Fertility?
It can affect fertility but it won’t prevent every woman affected from having children at all. The fertility rate of those with mild endometriosis is around 2-4.5% whereas someone without it has a fertility rate of roughly 15-20%, which makes it a bit harder to fall pregnant.
How Can You Alleviate Symptoms of Endometriosis?
Fortunately for those suffering from this condition, there are some ways that you can reduce the impact that it’s having on you. Here are some of the more common remedies that are known to work:
- Pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen can be used to relieve some pain.
- Hormone treatments can reduce or prevent the production of oestrogen in your body, which can stop the growth of the tissue that’s affecting you.
- Surgery can be done in severe circumstances to destroy the tissue that’s harming your body and relieve the pain.