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.
What are the early signs of endometriosis?
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.
The 7 signs that women may have endometriosis and should consult a specialist are:
- Period pain that is not characterized as cramping. This is pain that makes you miss work, school, events, and forces you to lay in bed.
- Heavy periods.
- Painful intercourse.
- Painful bowel movements and diarrhea or constipation.
- Pelvic pain even when you don’t have your period.
- Nausea/vomiting/bloating.
- Infertility/hormone imbalances.
All women who have endometriosis do not necessarily have all these symptoms; however, if you experience one or more of these symptoms regularly, consider seeing a specialist to rule out the possibility of endometriosis.
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.
