March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Author and endometriosis patient Samantha Bowick has written articles revolving around important questions and information about endometriosis. Her new book Living with Endometriosis: The Complete Guide to Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Treatment Options is out on April 24, 2018.
Common endometriosis misdiagnoses
Endometriosis is a disease that affects at least 176 million women worldwide. It is characterized as having tissue similar to the endometrium—the tissue that lines the uterus—in other places such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowels, and pelvic wall, among others. This tissue should normally be expelled by the body, but with endometriosis, it is unable to exit, causing severe pain and other symptoms.
Unfortunately, it takes many women as long as seven to ten years to be correctly diagnosed with endometriosis. This is partly because they are often misdiagnosed with another disease, instead of endometriosis.
Common diseases that a woman can be diagnosed with instead of being properly diagnosed with endometriosis include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome or disease (IBS or IBD)
- Interstitial cystitis (IC)
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
- Fibromyalgia
- Appendicitis
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Diverticulitis
- Celiac disease
The longer the delay between the onset of symptoms and being correctly diagnosed, the greater the risk posed to the patient’s health.
Living with Endometriosis includes expert advice drawn from doctors and researchers tackling this debilitative disease, along with tips for recognizing symptoms and getting the most effective help possible. Pre-order your copy now on Amazon and wherever books are sold. It is available on April 24, 2018.
Samantha Bowick has a Master of Public Health degree from Liberty University. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Administration at Columbia Southern University. She is devoted to using her education and experiences to advocate for women who suffer with endometriosis. She currently lives in Aiken, South Carolina.
