Endometriosis often presents as infertility or continued pelvic pain and cramping.

Patients often present with:⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
­- intermenstrual bleeding (at any time during the menstrual cycle other than during normal menstruation)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– painful periods (dysmenorrhea)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– heavy and/or excessive bleeding⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– painful intercourse (dyspareunia)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– painful bowel movements (dyschezia)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– painful urination (dysuria)⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– pelvic pain around ovulation can be present⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– sacral and lower back pain before and/or during menses can also be present⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
– difficulty falling pregnant

Severe pelvic pain and cramping may present before menstruation begins and continues throughout the bleed. However, endometriosis can also be asymptomatic, only coming to a clinician’s attention during an examination.

One of the parameters I use when tracking healing is pain. At each visit, I will ask a patient to rate their pain on scale of 1 – 10. This method allows me to track how patients are improving with treatment. Another indicator that their pain is decreasing and healing is taking place is the reduction in the need of pain killers/analgesics or anti-inflammatories needed with each cycle. I have taken patients from using these every 6-7 hours to deal with pain to not having to take any form of pain medication. Remember your period should NOT be something you dread every month and suffer in silence with. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

#drtnaidoo#homeopath#umhlanga#holistic#health#hormones#endometriosis#menstrualhealth#femalehealth

Article written by Dr Tharushka Naidoo