Everything about Endometriosis you need to know
After hopping on from one doctor to another, she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis, which caused her more stress than the condition itself. She was diagnosed with primary infertility and was given the option to undergo invitro fertilisation for conception. But her husband and in-laws denied it because it wasn't the natural way, and who would bear the cost anyway? They weren't up for adoption either because the lineage was at risk that way. Their elder son's wife not giving them their heir was seen as a serious issue that warranted him a second marriage in the next dawn break. After a few days, Meera did not turn up for work and neither did she return our calls. Rumours about what could have happened to her kept passing on between departments like wildfire. In someone's version, she is already dead by hanging. In someone else's version, she was sent back to her parents' house by her husband. And worse, some said she is serving her husband and his new wife at home instead of turning up for work. Out of all the possibilities, I would only want to consider that she probably was fed up with everything and decided to leave them behind and move to a quiet place where she would find peace and live for herself. What must have happened to her is something that haunts me when I think of endometriosis.
For those who have read this story without any context, let's start with what an endometrium is. The endometrium is a lining in the uterus that sheds in response to hormones forming the menstrual content, and it's also responsible for implanting a foetus in its position. When this endometrium is found elsewhere in addition to the uterus, it is called endometriosis. It is a crippling condition in women causing severe physical and psychological distress that leads to infertility in severe form. In endometriosis, the uterine tissues can be found anywhere, like in the immediate surroundings of the uterus, in the urinary bladder, and in the intestines, and rarely, it has also been found in the abdominal muscles, in the lining of the lungs and even the lining of the heart. Speak about crossing boundaries, and no one can beat the endometrium, I guess, other than your long-distance relative who randomly pokes their nose at your private life at a family event.
Women who use oral contraceptives, who have had fewer pregnancies, and who follow a healthy diet are less likely to be affected by the condition. Those who have endometriosis are bound to experience long-term pelvic pain, severe painful periods (dysmenorrhea), pain during intercourse (dyspareunia), and painful urination and defecation. The pain is chronic and cyclical and seems to increase in intensity over a period of time. In severe cases, it can also lead to infertility. There have been instances when these tissues elsewhere have responded to hormones and started bleeding, forming a blood clot, such as in the abdomen muscles. Rarely these clumpy forms have led to intestinal obstruction by making the intestines stick to each other because of their presence and the reaction following it.
The affected individuals will be subjected to a series of never-ending tests like ultrasound, per vaginal ultrasound, a laparoscopy where a camera is inserted through the abdomen to see the insides and hormone evaluation. The cure for this condition is controversial, and complete treatment research is underway. Many of these individuals will experience symptom relief through analgesics and hormone tablets. However, a few might require surgical procedures like burning the endometrial tissues with heat or removing them entirely. In such individuals, chances of getting pregnant are still possible. But in severe conditions, they might have to resort to assisted techniques like in vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intrauterine insemination (IUI).
Women with endometriosis will require support from family members and society to get through the condition. As such, it is one of the most painful conditions to suffer from and being constantly nagging about their conception will only add burden to their physical and mental health. If you know a friend or family member suffering from this condition, encourage them to join endometriosis support groups and offer them companionship. Try to be supportive and empathetic. If you are someone who is suffering from the condition, please know that seeking medical health as soon as possible might improve symptoms. And when women suffer from severe menstrual cramps and increased cyclical bleeding, let's not trivialise or normalise it because it is not. Any alteration in menstruation and any pain that becomes unbearable warrants medical attention. Let's take menstrual pain seriously instead of saying that it's normal and that we are born to withstand pain.
Book recommendations based on endometriosis and infertility:
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez - A rom com where the protagonist’s journey through mental stress during infertility and battling chronic pain due to endometriosis has been written so realistically.
The Mess in Her Womb by Dr. Chhavi Gandhi Juneja - A couple’s journey through infertility and assisted reproductive techniques has been written with utmost perfection. This is one of the must read books to understand the severity of the condition and relate with people going through it.
This post is a part of Blogchatter’s #A2Zchallenge 2024
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