Could your painful periods be endometriosis?
For many, the discomfort of heavy periods or pelvic pain is simply part of life, but it could also indicate endometriosis.
With Endometriosis Awareness Month approaching in March, now is the perfect time to tune in to your body and learn more about this often misunderstood condition.
Understanding how endometriosis affects your body and exploring treatment options can make a significant difference in managing symptoms and improving overall quality of life.
We've spoken to leading gynaecologists who have explained when it's time to request a doctor's appointment, starting with an overview of endometriosis and its key symptoms.
What is endometriosis?
'Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' says Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology.
What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps?
Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, which differ from typical menstrual cramps.
'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain,' explains Vakharia.
Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse.
'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.'
It can also impact your bowels.
'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.'
Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
'If you suspect you have endometriosis it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.'
However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs.
'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.'
How can women differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain, and when should they seek medical help?
'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it.
'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.'
Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is.
'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. '
But, it's also important to remember that not all patients who have painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse will have endometriosis.
'Other conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis can also cause this and in some patients, no cause is identified,' says Vakharia.
' Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease.
'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'
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BBC News
24-03-2025
- BBC News
Women with endometriosis in Suffolk share their stories
When Kynleigh Parker was told there was nothing wrong with her as she battled excruciating period pains, she began to believe she was "a drama queen".Since the age of 13 she had suffered with symptoms, but as she entered her 20s, she knew it was not just in her to find an answer, Miss Parker, from Sudbury, Suffolk, demanded help and was eventually diagnosed with is an incurable condition where cells similar to the ones in the lining of the uterus grow elsewhere in the body, affecting more than 1.5 million people in the Endometriosis Awareness Month, Miss Parker, along with two other women from the county, are keen to share the realities of this often debilitating condition. 'Hysterically crying' As a teenager, Miss Parker was told by doctors her agonising periods were nothing to worry about and she was prescribed hormonal contraception to manage the flare ups worsened as she got older, to the point where she would be "hysterically crying" with painkillers doing nothing to one "really bad" bout, she was offered an ultrasound and internal scan."I came away from that and they said, 'You're absolutely fine, there's nothing wrong with you'," the 26-year-old explained."I thought maybe it was in my head, maybe I am a drama queen."A gynaecologist later suggested it could be endometriosis, and in July 2022 a laparoscopy to assess her uterus confirmed it. After some delays outside of her control and after freezing her eggs, Miss Parker had surgery to remove the endometriosis in January last year."I could never have prepared my body for that surgery," she said."I thought I'd feel rough for a week... it was five weeks later when I went back to work."Miss Parker says it took seven to eight months until she "felt internally healed" and she is now 95% symptom explained she froze her eggs after doctors said her endometriosis may impact her chances of getting pregnant in the the condition does not necessarily cause infertility, according to Endometriosis UK it can cause fertility problems, but due to lack of research it is not fully known why."I'm trying to remain positive because maybe I'll be the person that doesn't need another surgery," she added."I'm really hoping nothing grows back." Twenty six years of pain Lorraine Clarke, 63, from Oulton Broad, similarly started to notice pain before, during and after her periods from the age of control to manage the pain never helped and she was also misdiagnosed with an appendix passed before Mrs Clarke demanded to see a could not find anything wrong with her and she was also offered a laparoscopy."They had a look in my womb in three different areas and that's when I found out that I had endometriosis," she this point she was 41 - she had gone 26 years without knowing what was wrong with her as well as why she never conceived a child. "I had a full hysterectomy and when I had my operation the gynaecologist came to my bed and said, 'Lorraine, did you ever wonder why you couldn't have any children?'," Mrs Clarke continued."After she had left I was in tears, that did upset me. "I wanted two boys and a girl, but that didn't happen because of endometriosis."Since her operation, Mrs Clarke said she had been "relatively fine", but still experienced sharp the past week she had been back to the doctor and referred for an ultrasound."I wouldn't wish for my worst enemy to have endometriosis," she added."It is a horrible, horrible disease. It is horrendous." 'Bruised internally' In late 2007, Michelle Chambers, from Sudbury, experienced worsening period pains, feeling "bruised internally" with "sharp stabbing pains".An initial appointment found no issues, but after a procedure to remove pre-cancerous cells following a smear test, doctors suspected was diagnosed in 2009 and had an operation to remove the endometriosis in 2010, but three months later it had regrown despite doctors telling her it was not Chambers had another operation in 2011 where she also had her fallopian tubes tied to prevent any pregnancies. "When I had to make that decision to be sterilised, even though it was my decision, I grieved for that child," said the 44-year-old."I'd hoped to have a second." The endometriosis continued to grow back with another operation in 2012 under a new doctor, and in 2013 it was decided if she was still in pain she would have a hysterectomy. "The hysterectomy happened six weeks after my wedding day, so that was our honeymoon," she said."It's a long, long recovery period, I wasn't expecting that."In 2015 the endometriosis was removed again, but despite having pains in 2017, the endometriosis has not grown back. "It does try and break you because the bad days are horrendous, the tiredness is absolutely crazy, you just can't describe it," she said."Thankfully I'm one of the lucky ones. "I've had a partner who has stood by me the whole time, we've laughed a lot, we have been stubborn, I've made sure I researched a lot, listened to my body and made choices that were right for me." 'Let down' A spokesperson for NHS England said: "The experiences of many women affected by endometriosis aren't good enough, with many waiting for too long before they get adequate treatment and diagnosis."They added the NHS was rolling out women's health hubs and raising more awareness of the condition to help diagnose patients quicker.A Department for Health and Social Care spokesperson added: "This government inherited an NHS where women wait up to 10 years for an endometriosis diagnosis - they have been let down for too long, but we are determined to change that." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
21-02-2025
- The Independent
Could you have endometriosis? These are the key symptoms
Heavy periods or pain in the pelvis is part of life for many. But these symptoms could point to something else going on within the body - endometriosis. March is Endometriosis Awareness Month - so there is no better time to tune into your body and question whether there is actually something going on. Understanding how the condition impacts your body and learning about potential treatments will boost quality of life. We've spoken to leading gynaecologists who have explained when it's time to request a doctor's appointment, starting with an overview of endometriosis and its key symptoms. What is endometriosis? 'Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' says Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology. What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps? Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, which differ from typical menstrual cramps. 'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain,' explains Vakharia. Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse. 'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.' It can also impact your bowels. 'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.' Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia. 'If you suspect you have endometriosis it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.' However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. 'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.' How can women differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain, and when should they seek medical help? 'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it. 'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.' Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is. 'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. ' But, it's also important to remember that not all patients who have painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse will have endometriosis. 'Other conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis can also cause this and in some patients, no cause is identified,' says Vakharia. ' Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease. 'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'
The Independent
20-02-2025
- The Independent
Could your painful periods be endometriosis?
For many, the discomfort of heavy periods or pelvic pain is simply part of life, but it could also indicate endometriosis. With Endometriosis Awareness Month approaching in March, now is the perfect time to tune in to your body and learn more about this often misunderstood condition. Understanding how endometriosis affects your body and exploring treatment options can make a significant difference in managing symptoms and improving overall quality of life. We've spoken to leading gynaecologists who have explained when it's time to request a doctor's appointment, starting with an overview of endometriosis and its key symptoms. What is endometriosis? 'Endometriosis is an oestrogen driven, chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, leading to various symptoms, including painful periods,' says Mr Hemant Vakharia, consultant gynaecologist, specialising in endometriosis and advanced minimal access surgery at London Gynaecology. What are the common symptoms, and how do they differ from typical menstrual cramps? Common symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, known as dysmenorrhoea, which differ from typical menstrual cramps. 'Endometriotic cells are stimulated by hormones in your natural cycle which causes inflammation and pain,' explains Vakharia. Another typical sign is dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse. 'The inflammation can lead to structures in the pelvis sticking together and also lead to thickening of tissues developing,' says Vakharia. 'As a result of the inflammation and thickening, patients with endometriosis can have pain with intercourse.' It can also impact your bowels. 'In patients who have endometriotic deposits on the bowel, or in those where the inflammation has caused their bowel to stick to other structures, it can be painful to open their bowels,' notes the endometriosis specialist. 'This can occur with their periods or all the time.' Other issues include chest pain when on your period, difficulty conceiving and ovarian cysts, adds Vakharia. How is endometriosis diagnosed? 'If you suspect you have endometriosis it is a good idea to speak to your GP in the first instance who will take a history from you and examine you,' advises Vakharia. 'Often, they will request an ultrasound of the pelvis and discuss the results with you.' However, endometriosis does not always show up on standard imaging, such as ultrasounds or MRIs. 'This is especially true in superficial endometriosis where the signs can be very subtle or when the disease affects areas not easily visualised,' highlights Vakharia. 'If you have been told your scan is normal but have persistent symptoms, such as chronic pelvic pain, heavy periods, or pain during sex, it's essential to advocate for yourself and seek a specialist for further evaluation.' How can women differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe menstrual pain, and when should they seek medical help? 'It can be difficult to differentiate between 'normal' periods and 'heavy or painful' periods as there is often no objective way of comparing,' says Mr Narendra Pisal, consultant gynaecologist at London Gynaecology. 'A lot of women just put up with that 'time of the month' and are told to get on with it. 'However, if you have to put your life on hold for those few days or if your sex life is affected by pain during sex, it is time to take note and ask for some tests.' Pisal acknowledges that it can be challenging for a GP to identify the root cause during a 10-minute appointment, so suggests keeping a diary to track when your symptoms occur and how intense the pain is. 'Have a diary of your menstrual cycle with particular emphasis on heaviness, pain and any other symptoms with a system for indicating severity,' suggests Pisal. 'Also note down if you have to take painkillers and how many. If the symptoms are affecting your life and you have to take time off work, that is also a significant factor. ' But, it's also important to remember that not all patients who have painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse will have endometriosis. 'Other conditions such as fibroids and adenomyosis can also cause this and in some patients, no cause is identified,' says Vakharia. ' Patients can be treated with the combined pill, progesterone-only pill, progesterone intrauterine device or surgery,' says Vakharia. 'Sometimes, we also use medications that induce a temporary menopause by blocking hormonal signals to the ovary which reduces stimulation of the endometriotic tissue. This option is often used before surgery for severe disease. 'A laparoscopy will allow diagnosis and excision of disease which can improve symptoms. In patients with severe disease, they may need a two-stage procedure.'
