You think you know everything about endometriosis? Maybe you don’t! Let’s crack open a few serious ones of all the many myths enveloping endometriosis.

1. It’s just bad period pain.

No, it’s not!

Even in 20th century, women’s pain is often downplayed in medical field. Years of suffering from endometriosis got many women get into their own research and question the conventional attitudes. But the majority of women, for years, still think that endometriosis pain is normal period pain. This attribution to the period pain is the main cause for the delayed diagnosis of endometriosis (endometriosis diagnosis is delayed upto 7.5yrs on average).

Evidence shows that chronic pain does lead to anxiety, depression and suicide. For others it keeps them out of the workforce, unable to enjoy life, or cease to function in their full potential.

If your period pain is bad, or you get pelvic pains at times other than period, talk to your physician without fail.

2. It is rare in young women

There are factors that make a person more or less susceptible to endometriosis, age is not one of them!

Unfortunately, this belief is a carry-over from earlier times. Before the introduction of laparoscopy in the 1970s, endometriosis could only be diagnosed during a laparotomy. Because of the risks and costs of the procedure only women after childbearing age were operated on, hence the disease was only found in women of that age. Subsequently ‘the fact’ arose that endometriosis was a disease of women in their 30s and 40s.

In most affected women, symptoms are present from adolescence, for many even from their first period, but only get diagnosed and treated in their 20s or 30s.

3. Endometriosis equals infertility

Having endometriosis does not invariably mean that you will never get pregnant!

Unfortunately, there is very little research attempted to look into the percentage of infertility in endometriosis cases. However, It is generally seen that 60–70% of women with endometriosis are fertile. Furthermore, about half the women who have difficulties with getting pregnant do eventually conceive with or without treatment.

4. Hysterectomy will cure endometriosis

It won’t. Because endometriosis symptoms are caused by ‘endometrium like tissue’ outside of uterus and not endometrium. Hence, even if the uterus is removed, symptoms will persist as long as the implants remain there.

5. Abortion, douching cause endometriosis

This idea is not as prevalent as the other myths, although it is no less damaging. People who believe or advocate so may be confusing “endometriosis” with endometritis! In fact, cause of endometriosis is still unknown.

6. It is rare

Let figures speak for themselves!

  • 10% of women worldwide have endometriosis – that’s 176 million worldwide.
  • In India, 25 million (2.5crore) women are affected.
  • 1 in every 10 women suffers from endometriosis.
  • It takes an average 7.5 years to get diagnosed.

7. Pregnancy cures endometriosis

No, it doesn’t!

Women are adviced to get pregnant as a cure to endometriosis by a wide range of sources from self-help books to web forums to medical professionals. It is factually incorrect and potentially damaging. Pregnancy, like hormonal drug treatments, may temporarily suppress the symptoms of endometriosis, and that’s it. It does not eradicate the disease itself. Symptoms usually reappear after childbirth or in some cases after Breastfeeding period.

If you find there are more misconceptions about endometriosis around you, or if you still have doubts, a. Endometriosis is a difficult situation and let’s not leave any stone unturned.

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