March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and Dr Anne Marie Coady, Gynaecological Radiologist at Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic is spotlighting the condition, estimated to affect 155,000 women in Ireland.
Endometriosis is a benign gynaecological condition affecting up to 10% of women of reproductive age causing pain and/or infertility.
Dr Coady notes that pelvic pain is not the only symptom of endometriosis. There are a number of different symptoms of endometriosis, which include:
- Pain in the lower abdomen or back in the lead-up to menstruation, progressing during your period. The pain would be considered worse than 'normal' period cramps and may not respond to basic pain medication.
- Period pain that stops you from doing normal activities, causes you to miss social events or happens at other times of the month when you are not menstruating (such as halfway through your cycle).
- Heavy bleeding during your period - you might notice this by needing to use a lot of sanitary products or bleeding through your clothes.
- Pain during or after intercourse.
- Pain when going to the toilet to urinate or for a bowel movement that is worse during the time of your period.
- Experiencing nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your urine or in your bowel motions during your period.
- Experiencing difficulty getting pregnant.
According to Dr Coady: “Not all pelvic pain is endometriosis, but if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you should contact your GP. Your GP can assess your symptoms and refer you to a specialist for further investigations if required.”
Dr Anne Marie Coady operates an ultrasound clinic at Blackrock Health Hermitage Clinic specialising in diagnosing gynaecological conditions. A GP referral is required for a patient to see her.