The cause of your cramps during your period may be endometriosis!

One of the most common complaints of endometriosis, the disease defined as the endometrial tissue that under normal conditions covers the inside of the uterus being located in a different area of the body, is severe pain being felt during the menstrual period.

Obstetrics and Gynaecology Specialist Prof. Dr. Taner Usta made detailed explanations about the relationship between the cramps that occur during the menstrual period and endometriosis. This tissue, which undergoes changes under the influence of hormones and, when a pregnancy occurs, thickens and forms a comfortable shelter for the baby, is expelled every month through menstrual bleeding when there is no baby, and thickens again under the influence of hormones until the next menstrual period.

Because it is a disease stimulated by the oestrogen hormone, it can recur many times until women enter the menopause. In endometriosis, constant lower abdominal and groin pain is seen in the advanced stages. There is a possibility of endometriosis being seen in 75% of women who come to the clinic with a complaint of pelvic pain.

In endometriosis, which causes severe pain during the menstrual period, there is in fact no relationship between the severity of the pain and the degree of the disease. Just as a mild degree of endometriosis can cause severe pain, in a case of advanced endometriosis very mild menstrual cramps may be seen and there may even be no pain at all.

Along with this, the cramps starting earlier and lasting longer may indicate that the stage of the disease has progressed. Pain that begins a few days before the menstrual period intensifies with the menstrual bleeding.

Severe pain that does not respond to painkillers may continue throughout the bleeding. This discomfort, which is also accompanied by groin and lower back pain, may spread down towards the legs.

Endometriosis, which turns the menstrual period into a nightmare, significantly lowers quality of life. The person moves away from her social life, cannot do sport and experiences a problem with focusing at work or at school. Some patients may spend the menstrual period in bed because of these cramps and may feel the need to use painkillers excessively. Endometriosis can also cause pain during sexual intercourse.

Contrary to what is believed, menstrual irregularity is not a very frequently encountered condition. However, irregular and heavy bleeding may be seen in women with endometriosis. Dark coloured (brownish) spotting is seen before menstruation. In fact this spotting is bleeding.

The form of the groin pain varies according to where the deep endometriosis is located. There may be very severe menstrual cramps, anal pain and urinary tract complaints. In some patients diarrhoea, bleeding from the anus and constipation may be seen.

The right thing to do is for the diagnosis to be made and the treatment planned without losing much time. As with all diseases, early diagnosis is very important for endometriosis as well.