It’s important to pay attention to your body so you know what’s normal for you and so you also notice when things are different. Endometriosis is a common condition affecting 2%-10% of women ages 25 to 40.
The symptoms of endometriosis vary but can be uncomfortable and distressing. It’s important to seek treatment for endometriosis because if it goes untreated, it can cause fertility issues and, in rarer cases, intestinal blockages.
Dr. Daniel S. Kushner is a highly skilled OB/GYN with medical offices in White Plains and Queens, New York. He offers a range of OB/GYN services to support women’s health, and he has many years of experience diagnosing and providing effective treatments for endometriosis.
Endometriosis is a condition that causes the tissue that lines the walls of your uterus to grow in other areas of your body. This tissue is the material usually shedded during your period. However, in endometriosis, the tissue grows in areas such as your ovaries, intestines, and fallopian tubes, where it can’t leave the body.
This tissue growth can cause symptoms such as painful cramps, heavy periods, pain during intercourse, and gastrointestinal distress.
If you have any health issues, it’s always best to get them checked out by your doctor. The signs of endometriosis can vary from woman to woman depending on where the tissue is growing, and some women have no symptoms.
There are several possible signs of endometriosis, so it’s important to know your own body and what feels normal to you. Here are four common issues that can arise with endometriosis.
Menstrual periods often cause discomfort, but with endometriosis, periods can become unbearable, interrupting your normal activities. Severe cramps can cause intense pain, and severe bleeding can be uncomfortable and inconvenient. If you have severe periods, talk to your doctor to learn if endometriosis may be the reason behind them.
If you experience pain while urinating or having a bowel movement, it’s important to get that checked out by your doctor to relieve the discomfort and determine what’s causing it. Endometriosis can cause this type of pain when the uterine tissue is abnormally growing in your intestines or bladder. Ignoring this pain doesn’t make it go away.
Pain during intercourse can turn a pleasurable activity into something that’s uncomfortable and distressing. Some women with endometriosis experience pain during sex or sometimes up to 48 hours afterward.
In some cases of endometriosis, the abnormally growing tissue can affect the sciatic nerve, which is a very large nerve that travels from your lower back and down each of your legs. This can cause sensations of pressure along with pain in the lower back and down your legs.
The only way you can know you have endometriosis is by getting a diagnosis from a qualified doctor. If you’re experiencing any type of pain, it’s important to get it checked out and treated to save you from being uncomfortable and having your condition worsen over time.
If you’re concerned about endometriosis, call one of our offices to set up an appointment with Dr. Kushner, or use our convenient online booking system to find a date and time that work best for you.
