Endometriosis Awareness Month

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue (tissue similar to the lining of the womb) starts to grow in other places, such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. It is one of the most common gynaecological diseases needing treatment (NG73 September 2017). It can affect women at any age however it is mainly a disease of the reproductive years. Whilst the exact cause is not known, it is associated with menstruation and hormonal changes.

What are the symptoms?

The main symptoms include pelvic pain, painful periods, pain during or after sex, pain with passing urine or bowel movements during your period, feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, blood in your urine during your period and infertility.

As a result, endometriosis can have a significant impact on quality of life and in some cases lead to feelings of low mood or depression.

How can it be treated?

Treatments include painkillers, hormone medicines and contraceptives, surgery to cut away patches of endometriosis tissue or in some cases hysterectomy. The current NICE guidelines (NG73 September 2017) note in their recommendations that there should also be access to a multidisciplinary pain management service with expertise in pelvic pain as well as other things.

Physiotherapists can play a role in the management of pelvic pain by helping to strengthen the pelvic floor, which can improve sexual function as well as prevent unwanted leakage or continence issues.

Here at Emma James Physio we can provide expertise and insight into the management of pelvic pain. Emma herself has a special interest in Women’s Health and has been working hard to develop a service that is accessible for all, in the diagnosis, management and treatment of pelvic pain.

We can provide assessment and treatment using the Pelvipower chair, or perhaps why not try some acupuncture for pain relief. Why not book in for an assessment and find out more about the range of tools we have available to help manage your symptoms?

Not quite ready to tackle it yet?……………..no problem, book in for a session in our floatation tank and take some time out for you. Looking after yourself with some ‘me time’ can do the world of good for your state of mind. Our therapists are ready and waiting to help to when you are.

Mary
🙂
Blog Post by Mary
Senior Physiotherapist MSc, BSc (Hons), MHCPC, MCSP
Emma James Physiotherapy