When I was first diagnosed with Endometriosis, I was given very little information about the widespread impact that the disease would have. One of the most challenging aspects is the limited research that has been conducted and the historic lack of funding surrounding women’s health. Despite 1 in 10 women in the UK* having Endometriosis, research is still limited and as a result, patient treatment greatly affected.
Misinformation on the condition is widespread and diagnosis time a shocking 7.5years*. In my personal experience, some medical professionals have taken quite a narrow view in deeming Endometriosis to be a purely gynaecological condition. This is true to an extent, but in fact Endometriosis is also an inflammatory disease which can spread throughout the body and result in a broad range of symptoms.
The above list is not exhaustive but includes a variety of different symptoms that myself and fellow Endometriosis patients will experience. Symptoms vary greatly from patient to patient, which contributes to the complications surrounding diagnosis. Not only that, but the Endometriosis itself is complex in that the density of legions found in the body will not necessarily equate to the level of pain generated. Only with more research and knowledge will we be able to resolve the nuances of this disease**.
*statistics thanks to @endometriosis.uk
**Eleanor Ruby Burgin’s petition to increase funding for research into Endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) has surpassed 100,000 signatures meaning it will get passed to UK Parliament for debate. Find out more: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/328570
[Image description: Camilla sits crossed-legged under a pink striped blanket holding a hot water bottle. She has brown hair, wears a purple strappy top and glasses. There is an assortment of coloured pillows behind her. Surrounding her is a variety of text-filled bubbles each coloured pale green, yellow or lilac. In order from L to R the bubbled text reads a variety of Endometriosis symptoms: sciatica, infertility and difficulty conceiving, nausea, bladder pain and complications, pain during and after sex, pelvic pain, painful periods, chronic pain, flare ups, brain fog, inflammation, swollen belly, chronic fatigue, dietary complications, painful bowel and bowel problems.]
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