Signs You May Have Endometriosis and What to Do

As a woman, it can sometimes be difficult to discern what is "normal" for the female body and what is something to be concerned about. Women can sometimes be told by doctors that their pain is illegitimate or that it is just "lady troubles." This can make it so you are unsure about your relationship with your own body and your bodily awareness. And it can make it hard to know when you have conditions like endometriosis. Get to know some of the signs you may have endometriosis as well as what to do if you do notice these signs. Then, you can be sure you advocate for yourself and get the care you need if you do show symptoms of this condition. 

Severe Cramping

If you have severe abdominal (especially lower abdominal) cramping during your periods or even at other times of the month, you could have endometriosis. This condition can cause extremely painful cramps that seem to be never-ending. 

So, if you have cramps that seem excessive or that come between periods, you should keep in mind that endometriosis may be the cause and watch out for other symptoms as well. 

Painful Periods

In addition to cramping, you may just have painful periods in general. This can involve a general aching or sharp pains in the lower abdominal and pelvic region. You might also experience lower back pain as part of your painful periods. This too is a sign of endometriosis. 

Bleeding Between Periods and Excessive Bleeding

You may also have irregularities when it comes to bleeding when you have endometriosis. One issue you may notice is bleeding between periods which can range from light to heavy. 

You could also have excessive bleeding. This means you have bleeding that is overly heavy and above the "norm" for menstrual bleeding. Heavy menstrual bleeding involves bleeding more than 16 teaspoons of blood in a period. 

So, if you are bleeding through pads or tampons in less than a few hours (or even less than an hour), you may have excessively heavy periods. This can mean endometriosis. 

What to Do

If you notice one or more signs of endometriosis, you should get an appointment with a gynecologist as soon as possible. They can perform an exam and even do an ultrasound to determine if you have endometriosis or another women's health condition. 

Should your gynecologist find that you do have endometriosis, there are treatment options. Hormonal birth control may help. Pain medications can also be prescribed. There are also surgical options up to and including a full hysterectomy. 

Now that you know some of the signs you may have endometriosis, you can be sure to schedule a gynecologist appointment if you are experiencing these issues. Visit a site like http://www.centraliowaobgyn.com to learn more.