Painful Periods that disrupt your life are not normal – Endometriosis could be the cause
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the endometrium (lining of the uterus) grows outside the uterus, commonly affecting the ovaries, pelvic lining , and bowel. It affects around 1 in 9 women and can significantly impact quality of life, fertility and mental wellbeing. Diagnosis There is no longer a requirement for surgical confirmation -laparoscopy - to make a diagnosis. Current guidelines support a clinical diagnosis (based on symptoms), Common symptoms: Dysmenorrhea (painful periods, often severe and worsening over time) Chronic pelvic pain (ongoing pain in the lower abdomen) Deep dyspareunia (pain with deeper sexual intercourse) Pain with bowel movements, often cyclical (worse around periods) Subfertility Imaging plays a role but does not exclude disease: Transvaginal ultrasound (internal pelvic scan) is first-line and useful for identifying...