Endometriosis is a disorder that can cause painful periods, and sometimes fertility issues.
Editor’s note: This article was originally published on September 21, 2021. It has since been updated.
Actor and comedian Amy Schumer recently revealed that she had to undergo surgery to remove her uterus and appendix as a result of endometriosis. 40-year-old Schumer shared a photo and short video on Instagram after her surgery, where she explained the procedure she underwent.
In the post, she first shared a photo of herself posing in a hospital gown. In the next slide, she posted a video taken by her husband, Chris Fischer, where she explains the surgical process.
"So, it's the morning after my surgery for endometriosis and my uterus is out," she said to the camera. "The doctor found 30 spots of endometriosis that he removed. He removed my appendix because the endometriosis had attacked it."
"There was a lot, a lot of blood in my uterus and I'm, you know, sore and I have some, like, gas pains, but other than that I already feel that my energy…” Schumer added, before getting abruptly cut off. She also wrote in the caption, "If you have really painful periods, you may have #endometriosis."
It is a common gynecological condition affecting an estimated 2 to 10 percent of American women, who are of childbearing age, according to John Hopkins Medicine. It is a painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. per Mayo Clinic. Your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis are most commonly affected due to the condition.
Endometriosis can cause painful periods, and sometimes fertility issues as well.
Since the primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, it is often misunderstood for menstrual cramps. But, endometrial pain is far worse than period cramps. Pain also may increase over time.
Painful period, pain during intercourse, Bowel movements, or urination accompanied by severe pain, and excessive bleeding are some of the several symptoms of the condition. Fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods, are also common signs to look out for.
Healthline reveals that in some cases there might not be any symptoms at all, so the best thing to do then, would be to regularly get check-ups done.
As expected, the first thing anyone would want to do is to get rid of the pain, and thankfully, surgical and medical options are available to treat the condition. Since everyone reacts differently to these treatment options, your doctor will help find the one that works best for you.
The sad thing about this is that the exact cause of endometriosis is still not known. Though there are several theories regarding the cause, one particular theory is yet to be scientifically proven.
However, it is said that the symptoms of endometriosis drastically improve after menopause.
References:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CT-ytbLrwQJ/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/endometriosis
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656
https://www.healthline.com/health/endometriosis#symptoms
Cover Image Source (Representative): Getty Images | Ok Sotnykova
