Nobody ever said being a woman was easy. That’s especially true for the millions of women with Endometriosis.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrium, which is the lining on the inside of the uterus, grows on the outside of the uterus. In many cases, this tissue grows on the ovaries, bowel, or tissue lining the pelvis.

This tissue builds up in these areas and breaks down and bleeds as it does in the uterus. However, unlike endometrial lining which drains through the cervix and out the vagina, blood from endometriosis has nowhere to go. Women suffering from this condition often times report significant pain in the pelvic region.

Is it endometriosis? –  Endometriosis : Signs, Symptoms, And Treatments

One of the most common indicators of endometriosis is pelvic pain that is especially strong during a woman’s menstrual cycle. Many women describe it as similar to menstrual cramps, but much stronger and more severe.

Other signs of the condition include:

• Pelvic pain and cramping before, after, and during a menstrual cycle. This pain can radiate to the lower back and abdomen.

• Pain during sex.

• Pain with bowel movements or during urination.

• Excessive or heavy bleeding during a period or between periods.

• Infertility.

• Diarrhea, fatigue, constipation, bloating, and nausea.

One important thing to remember is that some women with the condition do not report any pain, so don’t let pain be an indicator of the severity of endometriosis.

Treating Endometriosis

Medications and surgery are generally used as treatments for endometriosis. Over the counter medications can help in some instances for relieving pain and discomfort. Hormone therapy is also prescribed to many women.

This kind of therapy includes hormonal birth control pills and injections; gonadotropin-releasing hormones that block ovarian-stimulating hormones, which lower estrogen levels and help the cessation of menstrual cycles; and Danazol, which causes menstruation to end, but is thought of as a last-resort in terms of medication because it can have significant side effects.

Surgery is performed in some instances. The surgeries performed vary from minimally invasive procedures that involve removing the excess tissue to full hysterectomies.

While there isn’t much a woman can do to prevent endometriosis from occurring, a healthy diet and exercise can help improve the symptoms of the condition.

If exercise isn’t something a woman has done much of in the past, it is easy to start small by making a small diet and exercise wellness center in the home.

By selecting affordable work out equipment, which can include anything from ellipticals to hand weights to fitness DVDS, a woman suffering from endometriosis can get a healthy work out in the privacy of her own home. Just be sure to consult a physician before starting any work out plan.

Living with Endometriosis

Chronic conditions like endometriosis can be upsetting to many women, but living a healthy lifestyle and seeing a doctor can help ease the severity.

Only a doctor can diagnose endometriosis, so if you think you have it, be sure to consult a physician.

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