为什么你应该和医生谈谈 Your Painful Periods

子宫内膜异位, 一种侵袭性疾病，可引起慢性, 使人衰弱的疼痛和不孕, affects about 1 in 10 women in the United States. 有时被称为“看不见的”疾病, the wide variety of vague symptoms caused by endometriosis are often misunderstood and misdiagnosed.

Did you know that it takes 6 - 10 years on average to diagnose endometriosis from the time symptoms begin? Some women deal with extremely painful periods for years thinking it’s normal. It’s only when they begin to struggle with infertility that they seek the help of a women’s health care provider.

An early diagnosis is key to managing symptoms and giving women who suffer with endometriosis a greater quality of life. 子宫内膜异位 awareness and education about body self-awareness can help women get the treatment they need sooner.

什么是子宫内膜异位症?

子宫内膜异位 is a disease in which endometrial tissue, 或者子宫内膜, 在身体其他部位成片生长. The patches can also be referred to as lesions, implants or nodules and are most often found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, tissues around and under the uterus, intestines and bladder.

你不应该忽视的8个症状

About 75% of women with endometriosis experience 盆腔痛 她们的月经周期. Nearly half of all women diagnosed with endometriosis will experience 怀孕困难（不孕）. 其他症状包括：

• Heavy, painful periods that can get worse over time
• 月经之间的出血或点滴
• Pain using the bathroom during the monthly period
• 痛苦的性
• Pain in the intestines or lower abdomen, or other gastrointestinal problems
• 乏力.

你有患子宫内膜异位症的风险吗?

Any woman who menstruates can develop endometriosis, but it’s commonly diagnosed in women in their 30s or 40s. There is no known cause for the disease, but some factors can increase your risk, including:

• 子宫内膜异位症家族史
• 11岁前开始月经
• Having short monthly cycles (less than 27 days)
• 月经过多，持续时间超过7天.

认为你可能患有子宫内膜异位症?

你比任何人都了解自己的身体. If something seems off, it’s time to have a conversation with your OB/GYN. It’s helpful to keep a log of your symptoms and bring it with you to your appointment.

Your provider will ask about your symptoms – this is the time to speak up about your suspicions and share details about anything that doesn’t feel normal for you. The OB/GYN may perform a pelvic exam and may order additional tests such as an ultrasound if needed.

取决于测试的结果, your OB/GYN may recommend a robotic laparoscopy procedure, which allows a surgeon to see if there are any endometriosis patches present. Currently, surgery is the only definitive way to know if you have the disease. A biopsy, or removal of a tissue sample, may also be performed at the same time.

如何治疗子宫内膜异位症?

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, treatments can provide relief for symptoms. 一些治疗方法包括：

• Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or other anti-inflammatory medications
• 激素疗法，包括避孕药
• 手术切除子宫内膜异位症贴片
• Hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus and sometimes the ovaries and fallopian tubes
• 盆腔物理治疗.

对于那些正在与不孕症抗争的女性, in vitro fertilization may be an option for achieving 怀孕 if the surgical removal of patches isn’t effective.

If you experience painful periods, don’t suffer alone. Schedule an appointment with your health care provider and start the conversation.

Source: NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Dr. 金伯利Guillory 产科医生/妇科医生是 白玉兰妇产科. Dr. Guillory and all of the providers at 白玉兰妇产科 stand ready to help you by providing the care you deserve in an understanding and compassionate environment. 请致电（985）APPT-NOW[277-8669]或 点击这里 申请预约.