What is endometriosis? Symptoms explained

Endometriosis is a debilitating menstrual condition affecting around one in ten women in the UK.

But what is the condition and what are the symptoms?

Here’s what you need to know.

In the UK, around 1.5 million women and those assigned at birth to a woman are currently living with the condition.

With an average waiting time for diagnosis of 7.5 years, women are often left in the dark about the cause of their problems and how best to treat them.

It is a chronic condition in which cells similar to the lining of the uterus begin to grow in other areas of the body.

Endometriosis (pronounced endoh – mee – tree – oh – sis) reacts just like the cells in the uterus and builds up, breaks down and bleeds in the same way.

However, unlike the cells in the uterus that leave our body with the period, the endometriosis blood has no way of escaping.

The condition can affect anyone with a uterus from puberty to menopause, and there are examples of women being affected for life.

Symptoms of endometriosis can vary from person to person and not every symptom can affect the person.

Endometriosis has a variety of symptoms such as:

If you think you may have endometriosis, it’s important to see a doctor.

Unfortunately, it can take time to diagnose the condition as the symptoms are very similar to many other common conditions.

It’s important to share as much information as possible with your doctor to ensure the best possible help. So try to keep a journal of the symptoms and any issues you think may be related.

The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is through laparoscopy surgery, where a small camera is inserted into your abdomen to look for signs of the condition.

If endometriosis is found, it can be treated or removed during the procedure.

Because endometriosis can manifest in many ways, blood tests, scans, and internal exams are not a conclusive way to diagnose the condition.

It can take 7.5 years to diagnose endometriosis between the first doctor visit and a definite diagnosis.

Because endometriosis affects such a large proportion of people, a number of celebrities have shared their experiences with the condition.

In June 2021, former Love Island star Molly Mae shared her experience with endometriosis and how the surgery has impacted her life.

Sharing her experience in a Q+A video on YouTube titled “MY LIFE WITH ENDOTRIOSIS,” she told viewers, “It got so bad I was tossing and turning in bed and actually scared for my life.”

Actress and comedian Amy Schumer shared her experience with endometriosis after a hysterectomy in September 2021.

Schumer told her fans in an Instagram post, “If you have really painful periods, you might have #endometriosis.”

Author Chrissy Teigan also shared her experience with the disease after suffering a pregnancy loss in 2021.

Teigan shared a post-surgery photo on her Twitter, showing her fans her bandaged stomach and later her scars from the surgery.

Other people who also have endometriosis include: