Painful Menstruation? You Might Have Endometriosis

Do you feel like your waist is on fire during your menstrual period? Experience pain during sexual intercourse? Complain of serious abdominal pain before your period begins? Feel extremely tired or nauseous during your period? Can’t stand the pain when urinating during your menstrual cycle?

If you answered yes to more than three, then continue with the follow-up questions:

Did you start menstruating at an early age? Do you menstruate more than once in a month? Do you consume alcohol? Do you experience an abnormal flow of blood during your menstrual cycle?

If you answered yes to any of these, you might be suffering from endometriosis (pronounced as en-doe-me-tree-O-sis).

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus and attaches itself to another part of the body. This leaves the blood which is supposed to flow out captured thereby causing pain in the pelvic area.

Former Miss Nigeria and talk show host, Chief Nike Oshinowo, once disclosed that she passed out and spent 10 days in the hospital because of the pain.

Endometriosis occurs in one out of 10 women. This group of women often have difficulties getting pregnant. Although this condition is often attributed to witchcraft in our part of the world, research has shown that there is no known cause of endometriosis. Unfortunately, it cannot be detected through ultrasound but through laparoscopy (a surgical procedure done to know what problems are in the abdomen using the aid of a camera) after the sufferer has been put to sleep.

Oshinowo has been vocal about suffering from endometriosis.

However, symptoms of this gynecological condition are obvious during one’s reproductive years and ends during menopause.

Identical twins and those who have someone in their family line with endometriosis are at a higher risk of having this condition. Thankfully, medical science has developed several means of managing the condition. It is important to state here that not all pain (dysmenorrhea) experienced during your menstrual cycle is a sign that you have endometriosis; it could be your body sending a signal hence the need to consult a medical practitioner.

Having endometriosis is not the end of the world and we are grateful that Nike Oshinowo has proven this true.