1 in 10 women suffer with endometriosis in the UK, and although it is incredibly common it takes an average of 7.5 years to diagnose this condition.
What is Endometriosis?
The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the uterus are found outside the uterus. The presence of these cells where they don’t ‘belong’ distorts the body’s anatomy and ignites an inflammatory response. The result can be a process of progressively accumulating symptoms – although it may not be. There are women with endometriosis who never know it and are never affected by the pain it can cause.
The symptoms of endometriosis vary significantly between each person. Symptoms can include but are not limited to:
- Pain in your lower tummy or back which is usually worse during your period
- Period pain that stops you doing your normal activities
- Interstitial Cystitis is a common ‘evil twin’ of endo and is a very specific issue concerning the bladder lining. Painful Bladder Syndrome is more of a global name for pain around the bladder.
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain when emptying your bladder or bowel
- Feeling sick, constipation or diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Infertility
How is it diagnosed?
If you have been diagnosed with endometriosis or if you suspect you may have it, then the gold standard of diagnosis is via the analysis of excised tissue, called ‘pathological confirmation’. There is unfortunately no other test to confirm the presence of the disease, however often women are given the diagnosis based on the combination of their symptoms.
What can Physiotherapy do to help?
Pelvic Health Physiotherapy can help to manage the symptoms of Endometriosis, as part of an approach involving the whole medical team. It should be a holistic, integrative treatment which involves education, hands on treatment and support.
Firstly, we sit and listen to your whole story – the one that you’ve been trying to tell since your periods began.
We will ask you what investigations, treatments and surgeries you have undergone. Maybe stress is playing a part in ramping up your pain and symptoms – this is something that many people don’t associate with their pain.
We will ask questions about your home life, work life, sex life, menstrual cycle, nutrition, hydration, fertility – we like to gather as much information as possible to help us formulate a plan of action with you. Treatment/management of your condition should never be ‘done’ to you, you are an integral part of your treatment and must consent and agree.
What does Physiotherapy treatment involve?
- Pain Education – if we consider that it takes an average 7.5 years for a diagnosis to be given, the likelihood is that you have been in pain for a long time. This forms an important part of your treatment to help address your whole system.
- Breathing techniques – pain can lead to an altered breathing pattern which in itself stresses the body. Learning to breathe optimally will have benefits which are far reaching.
- Exercise and movement
- Improving your bladder and bowel habits
- Hip and pelvic stretches
- ‘Hands on’ treatment – We can work on muscles, nerves and joints, scar tissue and trigger points which can help to down regulate your nervous system as well as increasing the mobility of the external and internal tissues.
- Pelvic floor release – Many women with abdominal and pelvic pain will present with an overactive pelvic floor. As pelvic health physiotherapists, we are trained to do internal release work on the pelvic floor. This involves an internal examination of the pelvic floor and treatment as found necessary.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pelvic health please contact your GP, gynaecologist or pelvic health physiotherapist.
For support visit Endometriosis UK.
