Endometriosis is a gynecological condition affecting an estimated 2 to 10 percent of American women of childbearing age. What is of more concern is that experiencing Endometriosis symptoms is associated with lower health related quality of life #HRQL. Importantly, as symptom severity and number of symptoms increase, HRQL further deteriorates.
Missed work
Missed events
Missed celebrations
Missed daily life
Endometriosis impairs HRQL, especially in the domains of pain, psychological and social functioning. Therapies have been shown to alleviate symptoms and improve HRQL. Further research is warranted to evaluate the impact of endometriosis on HRQL in adolescents and the impact of infertility due to endometriosis on HRQL.
Women with endometriosis develop tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue but it grows outside of the uterus, usually on other reproductive organs inside the pelvis or in the abdominal cavity. Each month, instead of shedding like the normal tissue, this misplaced tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle by building up and breaking down just as the endometrium does, resulting in small bleeding inside of the pelvis. This leads to inflammation, swelling, and scarring of the normal tissue surrounding the endometriosis implants, which can be terribly painful.
If you think that you may have endometriosis, please talk to your doctor. If he/she is not taking you seriously, find another Doctor who will listen and advocate for you. The affects of diagnosed endometriosis is not just in your head.
#HRQLfromendometriosis #endometriosisawareness #livingwithendometriosis #endometriosissucks #endometriosissupport
