There are a number of myths circulating about causes of endometriosis as well as cures for the disease. This can make the journey that much more frustrating when trying to weed through all the misinformation. Below we cover some of the most common myths we’ve heard and found in our education. And better yet – we set the story straight with FACTS about endometriosis!
ENDOMETRIOSIS MYTHS
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Endometriosis is rare.
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Endometriosis pain just feels like bad period pain.
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Endometriosis is a disease with onset in a female’s 30’s and 40’s.
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Endometriosis is psychological.
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You won’t be able to get pregnant if you have endometriosis.
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Abortion causes endometriosis.
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It’s easy to get diagnosed with endometriosis.
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Surgery will cure endometriosis.
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Hysterectomy is the only course of treatment.
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Hormonal treatments cure endometriosis.
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Menopause cures endometriosis.
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Pregnancy cures endometriosis.
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If no one else in your family has endometriosis, then you probably don’t either.
In fact, endometriosis symptoms can begin as early as onset of menstruation and while there are many theories on what causes it, there is not yet enough research to narrow it down. It does appear to have a genetic component, is hormonally driven, and is a physiological condition that may also affect your emotional well being. Many women who have endometriosis have children, but they may have difficulty conceiving. There is no cure for endometriosis, but a combination of treatments can manage and minimize the symptoms.
ENDOMETRIOSIS FACTS
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Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of chronic pelvic pain
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It is estimated that endometriosis affects approximately 200 million women in the world and one in 10 in the U.S.
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Women are 7 times more likely to have endometriosis if their mother and/or sister(s) or aunts do.
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Diagnosis is often delayed due to normalization of symptoms and lack of awareness in the public and healthcare professionals. From onset of symptoms to diagnosis and treatment it takes an average of 7 years.
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Endometriosis is often mistaken for other conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). You can have IBS with endometriosis, and this can complicate the diagnosis.
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Surgery can remove endometrial lesions and scar tissue, but success is dependent on the extent of the disease and surgical skill level.
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Research regarding effective treatment for endometriosis has been limited, but in July of 2020, the U.S. House approved doubling funding from $13 million a year to $26 million a year.
If you’ve been struggling with endometriosis and want help or have questions, give our clinic a call and we’ll help you get some clarity on your healing journey and guide you along the way while working diligently with you and your body.
