March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. There are 176 million reproductive-age women worldwide that have this, and many don’t even know it. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus (called “the endometrium”), is found outside of the uterus, where it induces an inflammatory reaction that can result in painful scar tissue.
My guest this week on Get Well with Dr. Shel is a nationally acclaimed innovator and expert in the fields of integrative women’s health and reproductive health, sometimes called The Pelvic Guru – endometriosis expert, Dr. Jessica Drummond.
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Dr. Drummond is the CEO of The Integrative Women’s Health Institute and author of a brand new book on women’s health, Outsmart Endometriosis. She holds licenses in physical therapy and clinical nutrition and is a board certified health coach – and has 20 years of experience working with women with chronic pelvic pain, facilitates educational programs for women’s health professionals in more than 60 countries globally, and leads virtual wellness programs for people with endometriosis.
Today, we discuss the symptoms of endometriosis, what happens if it’s left untreated, and treating it using a holistic approach.
Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis include:
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into a menstrual period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination. You’re most likely to experience these symptoms during a menstrual period.
- Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods (intermenstrual bleeding).
- Infertility. Sometimes, endometriosis is first diagnosed in those seeking treatment for infertility.
- Other signs and symptoms. You may experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
What can I do?
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Hormone Testing
This questionnaire lists symptoms and other factors most commonly found in women who are either perimenopausal or menopausal, and suffering from low estrogen. If your results show hormonal imbalance, contact our center to schedule a free consultation for hormone testing.
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I hope you took something from my conversation with Dr. Drummond, and you weigh your options if you believe you are the 1 in 10 American women with Endometriosis.
With Love,
Dr. Shel
P.S. March 1-8 is Endometriosis Awareness Week, so pass this along to anyone you know with endometriosis.
