With baby pictures flooding all of my social media feeds, it’s evident my friends and I are in a current baby boom. However, not all the stories are ideal. I see vulnerable and hopeful posts about struggles with infertility. I keep asking myself if infertility is more common now, or are people just more vocal? March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and my hope is for all women affected to be empowered with information to advocate for their health.

1 in 10 women between the ages of 15 and 49 will be affected by endometriosis.

“According to studies in the New England Journal of Medicine, endometriosis is one of the top three causes of female infertility. While it is one of the most treatable, it remains the least treated.” I honestly wasn’t aware of the prevalence of this disorder and felt it was important to learn more.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus. It often involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. The tissue builds up and breaks down during your menstrual cycle but gets trapped in your body, potentially leading to the formation of cysts among other complications. The most common symptoms are severe pain around the time of your menstruation cycle, which makes it hard to detect. Unfortunately, many women don’t discover they have this “invisible illness” until they start trying to conceive. It shouldn’t have to get to this point.

Endometriosis is most common in women who:

  • Are between 30 and 40
  • Have never been pregnant
  • Have longer than normal periods
  • Have shorter menstruation cycles
  • Started their period before age 12
  • Have a family history of it

Luckily it’s treatable. If you experience abnormal pain during your period, sex, bowel movements, or urination, talk to your doctor. They can do a pelvic exam to check for any irregularities. Medication can be also used to manage the symptoms, and surgery might be a solution to remove any identified growths. It’s still possible to get pregnant with endometriosis, but surgery can improve your chances. Unfortunately, symptoms can still return a year later, so it has to be proactively monitored.

Regular exercise in addition to yoga and meditation are great ways to increase blood flow and help relieve pain associated with endometriosis. The illness often resolves with menopause, and symptoms can sometimes clear up on their own.

My advice to all women: ask questions, trust your gut, educate yourself, and advocate for your health.

Does anyone have personal experience with endometriosis? I would love to hear from you!

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