Endometriosis Awareness Month: Understanding Endometriosis and Finding Support
March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, a time to support increased understanding of this condition that affects millions of women worldwide.
Despite how common it is, women often live with endometriosis for years without a diagnosis, dealing with persistent pain and symptoms, without any clear answers as to why, or how to treat it.
When someone with endometriosis can understand the symptoms, access appropriate support, and explore treatment options that work for them, it can make a significant difference to their quality of life.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus.
These growths, called endometrial-like lesions, can develop, usually on organs in the pelvis such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, bladder and pelvic lining. In some cases, endometrial tissue has been found elsewhere in the body, even on the heart.
Unlike the uterine lining, which sheds and is released during menstruation, this tissue growing in other places has no way to leave the body. The tissue can then become inflamed, cause internal bleeding, scar tissue and adhesions, and this can cause significant pain and other symptoms.
Due to the nature of endometriosis, it can affect physical, emotional and reproductive health, and symptoms may worsen over time, especially if left untreated.
How Common is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is more common than many people realise.
Approximately 1 in 9 Australian women and people assigned female at birth are estimated to have endometriosis by age 44.
That equates to around 830,000 people in Australia currently living with the condition.
Globally, more than 190 million women are estimated to be affected.
Despite this prevalence, the condition is frequently misunderstood or dismissed.
Common Symptoms of Endometriosis
Symptoms vary from person to person, but common signs include:
Severe period pain (dysmenorrhoea)
Chronic pelvic pain
Pain during or after sexual intercourse
Heavy menstrual bleeding
Pain with bowel movements or urination, particularly during menstruation
Bloating or digestive discomfort
Fatigue
Difficulty conceiving
Importantly, the severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the extent of the disease. Some people with extensive endometriosis have minimal symptoms, while others experience severe pain with relatively small lesions.
Why Endometriosis is Often Missed
One of the challenges with arriving at a diagnosis of endometriosis is that many symptoms overlap with other conditions, including:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Adenomyosis
Ovarian cysts
Hormonal imbalances
Gastrointestinal disorders
Because symptoms can mimic other conditions, women may be treated for digestive issues or menstrual discomfort without the underlying cause being recognised.
There is also a long-standing cultural tendency to normalise severe menstrual pain, which can mean that a woman’s experience of endometriosis is minimised or dismissed. This can lead to her delaying seeking medical support or seeking support and not receiving the correct diagnosis.
Unfortunately, it can take many years to receive a diagnosis.
In Australia, the average time to diagnosis of endometriosis is estimated to be between 6 and 8 years from the onset of symptoms.
This delay can be caused by:
Normalisation of severe menstrual pain
Misdiagnosis with other conditions
Lack of awareness among practitioners
The need for laparoscopic surgery to confirm diagnosis in some cases
Earlier recognition and better awareness are helping to reduce these delays, but there is still significant work to be done.
Treatment Options
It’s important to acknowledge that there is currently no cure for endometriosis, but many people find that symptoms can be managed effectively with a combination of medical, lifestyle and complementary approaches.
Treatment may include:
Pain management strategies
Hormonal therapies
Surgical treatment
Dietary and lifestyle changes
Integrative therapies
At Perth Natural Medical Clinic, we work with a number of patients with endometriosis, and provide therapies aimed at reducing pain and inflammation, supporting hormone balance, and improving overall wellbeing.
If you are living with endometriosis, here are some therapies you may not have considered yet.
Frequency Specific Microcurrent (FSM)
FSM uses very low-level electrical currents, programmed at a specific frequency for a set duraction, designed to target specific tissues and inflammatory pathways. It has been used to support a range of chronic pain conditions and for endometriosis it may help:
Reduce pelvic pain
Decrease inflammation
Support tissue healing
Improve nerve-related pain patterns
Many patients report noticeable improvements in pain levels and overall comfort following a series of treatments. Please note, to make an appointment for FSM, you’ll need to call our team on 08 9328 9233.
Herbal Medicine and Naturopathic Support
Naturopathic care may also provide support for people living with endometriosis.
Individualised herbal medicine formulations are often used to help:
Reduce inflammation
Support hormonal balance
Improve liver detoxification pathways
Ease menstrual pain and cramping
Support nervous system resilience
Herbal medicines are carefully selected based on the individual’s symptoms, menstrual cycle patterns and overall health.
Some herbs commonly used in naturopathic care for pelvic pain and hormonal support include anti-inflammatory and hormone-modulating herbs, although treatment is always tailored to the individual.
Acupuncture for Endometriosis Support
Randa Majrouh has been using Acupuncture as another therapy to support patients with endometriosis. In traditional Chinese medicine, painful periods and pelvic pain are often associated with stagnation of blood and energy (Qi) within the pelvic region. Acupuncture involves the insertion of very fine needles at specific points on the body to improve circulation, regulate the nervous system, and reduce pain signals. Some studies suggest acupuncture may help reduce pelvic pain, improve menstrual symptoms and support hormonal balance in people with endometriosis. Many patients also find acupuncture helpful for reducing stress and supporting overall wellbeing, which can be particularly valuable when managing a chronic condition.
Living Well with Endometriosis
While endometriosis can obviously be an extremely challenging condition to deal with, many women experience meaningful relief when the right combination of support is found. What that looks like will depend on the individual, the severity of their symptoms and the extent of the disease.
With appropriate care, it is absolutely possible to:
Reduce the severity of symptoms
Improve energy and wellbeing
Better manage menstrual pain
Support fertility and reproductive health
Critically, it is awareness, effective diagnosis, early intervention and personalised care that will make a significant difference in how an individual experiences endometriosis.
Seeking Support
If you experience persistent pelvic pain, painful periods, or other symptoms that are associated with endometriosis, it is worth speaking to your GP and if necessary, seeking secind and third opinions until you do have the answers you need.
At Perth Natural Medical Clinic, our practitioners offer integrative support through naturopathy, herbal medicine and therapies such as FSM and acupuncture to help support people living with chronic inflammatory conditions including endometriosis.
Book an appointment online with Naturopath and Acupuncturist Randa Majrouh or Naturopath Lesley Oakes for expert support and guidance. Alternatively call our team to find out how our team may be able to support you.