Bad period pain?
Could it be Endo?
Period pain is something that is so frequently put down to being normal. Nobody really talks about periods, which means it’s hard to know when to get help. Period pain is topic only really spoken about between mother and her daughter.
Endometriosis is a common cause of severe period pain and affects between 10-11% of women. Endometriosis or Endo is where the endometrial or uterine lining grows and sheds in areas outside of the uterus. Endometriosis is commonly left undiagnosed and does have a known genetic link. It is therefore not unheard of for both mothers and their daughters to have undiagnosed Endo!
The average time until diagnosis in Australia is 12 years. With delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment the outcomes for endometriosis are much worse, leading to worsened chronic pain, bladder and bowel complications and scarring.
Is your pain normal?
Normal period pain lasts for the first 2 days of your period and is relieved by over the counter medication. If your period pain lasts longer than 2 days, or is not relieved by pain relief, make sure you see your GP.
What else can I do for pain relief?
If you have ongoing pain despite treatment, or if you are having bladder, bowel or other pelvic floor concerns, consider physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can be effective at reducing the pelvic floor muscle pain and tension associated with endometriosis. Your physiotherapist can also teach you strategies to help manage your pain, empowering you to achieve your goals.
Written by : Rebekah
