- Endometriosis affects 10% of women and some of them are unaware of it
- It manifests itself with period pains that come to incapacitate on a day-to-day basis: absences from school, at work …
- It is a chronic disease, it has no cure, but its effects can be mitigated
We know that we live convulsive moments. Suddenly the priorities have changed, but even if we have to stay at home, we want to continue talking about what we know, assisted reproduction and life. So we will continue counting everything that is of interest while waiting to be able to resume our activity normally. Therefore, we do not want to let March go by without remembering it is Endometriosis month.
For years this disease has been classified – wrongly – as “silent”, although the reality is that women who suffer from it suffer severe pain and discomfort. Some women with Endometriosis are even unable to cope with the routine of their day to day.
For this reason, “a woman with noticeable pain during her menstruation should be suspicious and know that it is not a normal consequence of her cycle; you should listen to their symptoms and discomforts and give voice to this condition that is not very silent “, advises Dr. Juan Antonio García Velasco, director of IVI Madrid and specialist in Endometriosis. This is also why the diagnosis of this disease can be delayed between 7 and 10 years, since the symptoms are confused with the discomfort of menstruation.
Dr. García-Velasco recorded us a video about everything related to Endometriosis that you can see in our Instagram TV
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The main symptoms of Endometriosis are:
- Menstruation more painful than usual (Dysmenorrhea)
- Pain during or after sexual intercourse (Dyspareuin)
- Painful bowel movements or urination
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Fatigue
As we have said, Endometriosis is a more frequent disease than is believed. Between 5 and 10% of women suffer from it, with about 2 million carriers in Spain. In addition, although it is not proven, greater chances of suffering Endometriosis have been found when there are cases in the family. On the other hand, contrary to what is thought, it is a benign disease, although it can be related to ovarian endometrioma, which are benign cysts in the ovaries that can infrequently become malignant.
Although this disease has no cure, it is very important that it be detected as soon as possible in order to apply treatments that help to soften its effects and try not to get worse. An early diagnosis is also essential for women who want to be mothers. If Endometriosis is not treated and progresses to more serious stages, it can cause difficulties in conceiving. Of women with infertility, between 30-50% can suffer from this disease. And of the women who suffer from Endometriosis, half of them can suffer infertility. On the other hand, although we have already commented previously that this disease has no cure, some women who suffer from it notice a relief of pain during pregnancy, although they return after giving birth.
Endometriosis and infertility
Another consequence of Endometriosis is infertility. Reproductive medicine, and more specifically egg preservation, can provide these women with an adequate solution with high success rates to their fertility problems. The vitrification of oocytes is the best guarantee in order to fulfill their dream of being mothers in the future, also for those who have to undergo surgery that could compromise their fertility, or for those who simply want to postpone motherhood. IVI has specific Endometriosis units in its clinics. Through diagnosis and correct treatment and monitoring, both medical and psychological, these patients feel supported and understood.
Talk about Endometriosis
We are living in a time in which, fortunately, more and more women publicly acknowledge suffering from this disease as it is collected in different press articles. One of the first actions that we can do together is to make each case visible. A few weeks ago, sisters Marta and Lucía Pombo joined us in an event dedicated to Endometriosis and during it, they shared their experience as patients of this disease.
We have many examples of women who with incredible willpower have pursued what they wanted and have trusted IVI to achieve it. Today they are the perfect demonstration that with perseverance and with the help of our doctors, we are one step closer to achieving what previously seemed impossible.
- Violeta: “Endometriosis has conditioned my whole life, but it has not prevented me from being a mother”
- Yolanda: “Ignorance led me to make wrong decisions; fortunately science showed me that I could be a mother “
- Verónica: “I always thought: I don’t know when I’ll get pregnant, but every day is one less day to get it”
- Victoria: “It has been eight years of fighting Endometriosis, but in the end I managed to have my babies”
- Lucia: “It was clear to me that Endometriosis would not prevent me from fulfilling my dream of being a mother. So it was”
- Paula: “After 6 years of suffering, I am finally sure that I will get pregnant”
- Susana: “Endometriosis showed up just when I wanted to be a mother, but I didn’t give up”
- Laura: “They told me that it would be difficult to be a mother and with enthusiasm and perseverance I managed to bring two wonderful children into the world”
- Beatriz: “I went from not being able to have children to blindly trusting someone and getting it”
Do any of you feel identified with these testimonies? Can you tell us how is your day to day with Endometriosis?
