Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. So that must mean we all know at least one woman who suffers from it. Or do we?
Why is Endometriosis not often talked about? Because women are living with symptoms or pain that you may not see on the outside and yet it affects almost every facet of her life. SBS Insight focused on Endometriosis recently with a panel of women who suffer from the condition, their parents, husbands, gynecologists and women's health specialists.
Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women. This is the same rates for Asthma and Diabetes - big diseases that get a lot of attention, funding for research and charitable support. Why is Endometriosis not as prominent in our minds?
Women suffering it are dealing with issues of severe pain that they often feel they need to hide or endure just because they're a woman.
It affects all facets of their lives - their work life, their family and friend relationships, their intimate relationships because of pain during sex, discomfort and negative associations with sex because of the pain.
They can experience severe fatigue as well because the pain is debilitating that can wear your down and exhaust you.
Some little known facts about Endometriosis:
- There is no cure.
- Hysterectomy doesn't cure Endometriosis.
- Women as young as 8 and up to well past menopause can have endometriosis.
- Symptoms are not consistent in all women - you can have severe Endometriosis and no symptoms or mild Endometriosis and severe pain.
- Its is hereditary.
- It is NOT an auto-immune condition.
- It is inflammatory.
- It is NOT a result of direct Oestrogen Dominance, but can be influenced by hormones.
Watch this episode of SBS Insight to get a clearer explanation of how women experience Endometriosis and what leading Doctors and Specialists have to say about managing it.
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/insight
