Endometriosis

***This page was written based on endometriosis facts found on Endo Stats. Full credit of information on this page goes to Endo Stats. This page merely wishes to spread knowledge and awareness of endometriosis. Please visit their website and page for more information. Continue to educate & advocate. — Thank you.***

“Endometriosis is a systemic disease with numerous immune & endocrine malfunctions that sometimes result in misplaced tissue. The misplaced tissue is similar to the lining of the uterus, but not exactly the same & is the end point of other aberrations.” — Mary Lou Ballweg (Endometriosis Association President & Founder)

Thoracic:

• The most frequent finding in diaphragmatic implants
• Symptoms are shortness of breath pain in the chest area, the right shoulder and upper abdomen
• The right side is the most prevalent but left side and bilateral occur as well
• Negative imaging does NOT rule out the presence of disease
• Cyclic chest pain is the most common symptom but Catamenial Pneumothorax (CP) is the most common clinical sign
• Youngest documented case study CP – age 11 years

33% of lung collapse in females were the result of thoracic endometriosis

Bowel:

• Common complaints are frequently misdiagnosed as IBS
• Nausea/vomiting symptoms associated with small and large intestines
• Bowel chances with cycle alternating constipation and diarrhea
• Even when endometriosis does NOT occur directly on the bowel, it can cause bowel symptoms

Urinary:

• Women with urinary tract endometriosis have few or no symptoms
• Bladder involvement often presents like Interstitial Cystitis (IC)
• Full-thickness lesions may cause blood in urine

23% of women with extra-pelvic endometriosis do NOT have it in the pelvis

The delay in diagnosis is between 7-10 years.

Endometriosis MYTH: Doctors still tell this myth today– that you have to get pregnant or have a hysterectomy to cure endometriosis. But how would that help urinary, GI, and thoracic endometriosis?

General Practitioners

• 63% are not comfortable in diagnosing and treating endometriosis
• 50% are unfamiliar with the three main symptoms of the disease

68% of women with endometriosis were initially misdiagnosed with another condition

Endometriosis is one of the most excruciating pains humans can experience. Yet most people have never heard of it.

82% of women are at times unable to carry out day-to-day activities due to endometriosis.

Endometriosis takes away a woman’s ability to:

• Have a child
• Work continuously
• Get an education
• Provide for her family
• Be intimate with partners
• Interact with friends
• Be physically active
• Gain societal support
• Escape pain
• Get out of bed

73% have had their relationships affected by endometriosis.

Estimated economic loss per year in the U.S. due to women with endometriosis who are unable to work: $18-22 Billion

Average cost of endometriosis per woman per year is $10,762. Lost work productivity $7,265. Direct health care costs $3,497.

The financial cost to the world of endometriosis is similar to that of diabetes.

1 in 10 women have endometriosis

Over recent decades, endometriosis has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases: cancer, autoimmune diseases, asthma or allergic manifestations, and cardiovascular disease.

A multi-disciplinary approach is needed for endometriosis, including: gynecology, urology, gastroenterology, thoracic, and (rarely) cardiology and neurology.

Source Credits: endostats.com