Endometriosis Explained
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Endometriosis, pronounced (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis), is a common, but serious and often painful condition of the reproductive organs. This video discusses the symptoms of Endometriosis, and encourages people who are concerned about endometriosis to talk to a medical provider and a trusted adult, like a parent or other family member. The video also dispels some common myths about Endometriosis, and explains why young people especially should seek medical care. [AMZ-148]
Youth
Endometriosis is a common (about 10% of people with uteruses), but serious and often painful condition of the reproductive organs, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. You might remember that, for a person who menstruates, during the period (menstruation), the lining of the uterus thickens, and when an egg isn’t fertilized the lining tissue breaks down, and the blood leaves the uterus and exits the body out of the vaginal opening.
When a person has Endometriosis, this tissue, that normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus in the pelvic region. This tissue acts just like regular menstrual tissue; it grows thick, breaks down, and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. However, because this tissue is outside of the uterus, it has no way to leave the body and becomes trapped. This trapped tissue attaches to the outside of organs, like the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, or rectum, and causes scars (scar tissue) that can be very painful.
The main symptom of Endometriosis is dysmenorrhea, which means extremely painful periods. More than just typical cramping, the cramps from Endometriosis can often be felt in your stomach or back in addition to your uterus. Some other symptoms of Endometriosis are; pain when you urinate (pee) or poop, heavy bleeding, and diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation (trouble pooping) during your period. For people that are sexually active, Endometriosis can cause pain during vaginal intercourse. Endometriosis can make it difficult to participate in normal daily activities and also cause infertility (difficulty getting pregnant) for people who want to have children. If you experience these symptoms, have a trusted adult help you contact a medical provider for a check-up.
Make sure you tell your medical provider all of your symptoms. It might also be useful to keep a journal in a notebook or on your phone to help you keep track and remember how you feel during your period for a few months in a row. Sometimes Endometriosis is misdiagnosed as something else, communicating with a medical provider clearly, and telling them all of your symptoms will help them determine if you have Endometriosis, or another condition. This way they can determine the correct treatment that will work best for your growing body.
Scientists are unsure of the cause of this condition that affects 10% of people with uteruses around the world-that is about 1 in 10 people with a uterus. If other people in your family have it, you started your period at a young age (11 or younger), or you have at least 1 of the symptoms, it could be time to talk to a medical provider. The medical provider will give you a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to determine if there is tissue outside of your uterus. Some possible treatments include hormonal birth control, inserting an IUD, or prescribing other hormones to regulate or stop the menstrual cycle. For severe cases of Endometriosis, a doctor may also prescribe medication to manage the pain and/or perform surgery.
Endometriosis can be challenging to manage, which is why early diagnosis and understanding how to manage your symptoms at a young age are important. Make sure you talk with your doctor regularly, and if they aren’t listening to your concerns, or you don’t feel comfortable or respected, ask a trusted adult to help you find a new doctor, or a medical provider that specializes in treating Endometriosis. With proper care, people with Endometriosis can manage their symptoms and continue with their daily life in happy and healthy ways.
FAQs
Yes, anyone who gets their period can have Endometriosis. About 1 in 10 people with uteruses in the world , of all ages, have Endometriosis. If someone in your family has Endometriosis, you might have a higher chance of developing it as well. Speak to a medical provider if you have questions or notice any symptoms.
Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure for Endometriosis. However, with proper medical care, a person with Endometriosis can live a happy and healthy life. This is why it is important to get a diagnosis and treatment in the early stages. Speak to a trusted adult and your medical provider if you begin to notice symptoms or have people in your family with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis has nothing to do with a person’s sexual behaviors or experiences. Anyone who gets their period, regardless of if they have had sex or not, can develop Endometriosis.
Test your knowledge
Parents
Endometriosis, pronounced (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis), is a common (about 10% of people with uteruses), but serious and often painful condition of the reproductive organs, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. For a person who menstruates, during the period (menstruation), the lining of the uterus thickens, and when an egg isn’t fertilized the lining tissue breaks down, and the blood leaves the uterus and exits the body out of the vaginal opening.
When a person has Endometriosis, this tissue, that normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus in the pelvic region. This tissue acts just like regular menstrual tissue; it grows thick, breaks down, and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. However, because this tissue is outside of the uterus, it has no way to leave the body and becomes trapped. This trapped tissue attaches to the outside of organs, like the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, or rectum, and causes scars (scar tissue) that can be very painful.
The main symptom of Endometriosis is dysmenorrhea, which means extremely painful periods. More than just typical cramping, the cramps from Endometriosis can often be felt in the stomach or back in addition to the uterus. Some other symptoms of Endometriosis are; pain when urinating or pooping, heavy bleeding, and diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation during the period. For people that are sexually active, Endometriosis can cause pain during vaginal intercourse. Endometriosis can make it difficult to participate in normal daily activities and also cause infertility for people who want to have children. If your child is experiencing these symptoms, and especially complaining of intense cramps during their period, it is important to have them see a medical provider.
It might be useful to keep a journal in a notebook or on your phone to help your child keep track and remember how they feel during their period for a few months in a row, and track symptoms. This will help them explain what they are experiencing to the medical provider accurately. Sometimes Endometriosis is misdiagnosed as something else, communicating with a medical provider clearly, and telling them all of the symptoms will help them determine if it is Endometriosis, or another condition. This way they can determine the correct treatment that will work best for your child.
Scientists are unsure of the cause of this condition that affects 10% of people with uteruses around the world-that is about 1 in 10 people. If other people in your family have it, your child started their period at a young age (11 or younger), or they have at least 1 of the symptoms, it could be time to talk to a medical provider. The medical provider will give them a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to determine if there is tissue outside of the uterus. Some possible treatments include hormonal birth control, inserting an IUD, or prescribing other hormones to regulate or stop the menstrual cycle. For severe cases of Endometriosis, a doctor may also prescribe medication to manage the pain and/or perform surgery.
Endometriosis can be challenging to manage, which is why early diagnosis and understanding how to manage symptoms at a young age are important. Make sure to talk with your child’s doctor regularly, and if they aren’t listening to your concerns, find a new doctor, or a medical provider that specializes in treating Endometriosis. With proper care, people with Endometriosis can manage their symptoms and continue with their daily life activities in happy and healthy ways.
Conversation Starters
It’s essential that you have conversations about topics like puberty and periods if your child is to know that they can come to you with questions. The easiest way to start these conversations is to talk about issues as they come up in everyday life, like while watching TV together.
Some topics, like Endometriosis, may not come up in regular conversation, but it’s important to bring them up anyway, especially if others in your family have Endometriosis.
Below are some ways to start these conversations:
Ask your child how they are managing their period symptoms. Discuss ways they can best communicate with you when they are in pain, discomfort, or just have questions.
Ask them if this method (pad/tampon/menstrual cup) is working for them and if they would like to try something different. Discuss what kind of pain or other symptoms, if any, they are experiencing during their period. Ask them if they would like to talk to a medical provider about their period.
While you might be inclined to brush cramps off as just a ‘regular part of getting your period’, it is important to note that if your child is having difficulty doing normal daily activities or complaining of intense pain (in the uterus, back, or stomach) during their period, there could be a cause for concern. Talk openly with your child about their pain and help them keep a journal of their symptoms. If you notice that these symptoms persist on a monthly basis, it might be time to take them to a medical provider.
Educators
Endometriosis, pronounced (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis), is a common (about 10% of people with uteruses), but serious and often painful condition of the reproductive organs, the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. For a person who menstruates, during the period (menstruation), the lining of the uterus thickens, and when an egg isn’t fertilized the lining tissue breaks down, and the blood leaves the uterus and exits the body out of the vaginal opening.
When a person has Endometriosis, this tissue, that normally lines the inside of the uterus, grows outside of the uterus in the pelvic region. This tissue acts just like regular menstrual tissue; it grows thick, breaks down, and bleeds with the menstrual cycle. However, because this tissue is outside of the uterus, it has no way to leave the body and becomes trapped. This trapped tissue attaches to the outside of organs, like the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bladder, or rectum, and causes scar tissue that can be very painful.
The main symptom of Endometriosis is dysmenorrhea, which means extremely painful periods. More than just typical cramping, the cramps from Endometriosis can often be felt in the stomach or back in addition to the uterus. Some other symptoms of Endometriosis are; pain when urinating and pooping, heavy bleeding, and diarrhea, vomiting, or constipation during the period. For people that are sexually active, Endometriosis can cause pain during vaginal intercourse. Endometriosis can make it difficult to participate in normal daily activities and also cause infertility.
Sometimes Endometriosis is misdiagnosed as something else, communicating with a medical provider clearly, will help them determine if it is Endometriosis, or another condition. Teaching your students how to keep a journal of symptoms in a notebook or their phone will help them to communicate their symptoms clearly to a medical provider. If you teach Physical Education, work with your administration, school nurse, or other teachers to determine how students with severe cramps can be excused from activity as needed.
Scientists are unsure of the cause of this condition that affects 10% of people with uteruses around the world-that is about 1 in 10 people. If a student has people in their family with Endometriosis, started their period at a young age (11 or younger), or has at least 1 of the symptoms, encourage them to talk to a medical provider and trusted adult like a parent or other family member.
The medical provider will give them a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to determine if there is tissue outside of the uterus. Some possible treatments include hormonal birth control, inserting an IUD, or prescribing other hormones to regulate or stop the menstrual cycle. For severe cases of Endometriosis, a doctor may also prescribe medication to manage the pain and/or perform surgery.
Endometriosis can be challenging to manage, which is why early diagnosis and understanding how to manage symptoms at a young age are important. With proper care, people with Endometriosis can manage their symptoms and continue with their daily life activities in happy and healthy ways.
National Sex Ed Standards
Define medical accuracy and analyze medically accurate sources of information about puberty, adolescent development, and sexual health
Discussion Questions
- Who is at risk of developing Endometriosis?
- What are some symptoms of Endometriosis?
- Who could you talk to if you think you might have Endometriosis?
- How can you help a friend or family member who might have Endometriosis?