10 Myths About Endometriosis

1. Severe period pain is normal

Not true! I’ve taken sick days several times due to period cramps that made it impossible for me to get out of bed. During her cycle, I’ve seen my friend turn pale and soft like jelly, and I’ve heard stories from my mother about her friend passing out from period pain.

They say that all we have to do is to fight the bloody uterus war for 7 days and everything will be fine. Period pain should not be considered “normal” or “part of being a woman.” Despite the fact that attitudes toward women have improved, some old beliefs still exist.

It is NOT normal if your pain affects your daily activities. Seek help. #endospeak

2. She’s too young to get endometriosis

Not true! Many doctors still believe that endometriosis affects only a tiny fraction of teenagers and young women. That’s because, before the invention of laparoscopy in the 1970s, doctors could only perform a laparotomy. It’s a crucial procedure that requires a 10–15cm incision in the abdomen. Doctors only performed the procedure on older women with severe symptoms due to the significant risks involved. As a result, they assumed that endometriosis would only affect women in their 30s and 40s.

Doctors can now use laparoscopy to make tiny keyhole incisions through the belly button and “search” for it in younger women thanks to advances in technology. It’s similar to performing “tunnel surgery” with a spotlight.

3. Hormones are the cure

Not true! For many years, endometriosis has been “treated” with synthetic hormonal drugs such as pills, progestins, Danazol, and GnRH-analogues. These hormonal treatments have no long-term effect and are only used to mask symptoms temporarily.

It doesn’t mean it isn’t there just because you can’t feel it. Surgery by a gynecologist with extensive knowledge and experience of specialized techniques is the only way to truly treat the illness.

TCM (herbs and acupuncture) can help, which is good news. Regulating Qi, blood, and inflammation in your body, as well as making dietary changes, can help alleviate symptoms and prevent the formation of more endometrial-like tissues outside the uterus to some extent.

4. Pregnancy can cure endometriosis

Not true! Babies do not poop out magic antidotes, and the placenta does not disseminate miracle cures.

Because there is no period during pregnancy, symptoms may be temporarily suppressed. However, it does not address the underlying cause of the disease. As a result, the symptoms usually return after childbirth. While breastfeeding, some women may be able to postpone the onset of symptoms. Breastfeeding must be frequent and/or intense enough to bring the period to an end.

5. Endometriosis = Infertility

Not true! Despite the lack of clear, reliable statistics, approximately 60% to 70% of women with this illness seem to have had children. However, as with any healthy woman, the chances of having fertility problems rise as you get older. And for those with endometriosis, the problems get worse as the disease progresses.

6. Tubal Endometriosis = Infertility

Not true! This is seen as a common cause of infertility. But this is most likely due to pelvic inflammatory disease-related infertility, rather than endometriosis-related infertility.

Pelvic inflammatory disease is an infection that damages or blocks the fallopian tubes in the female reproductive system. Eggs and sperm are unable to pass through the tube, resulting in infertility. Tubal endometriosis, on the other hand, is less common and does not always lead to infertility.

7. Hysterectomy is the cure

Not true! Endometriosis is defined as endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus.

The symptoms will not be relieved by removing the uterus and/or ovaries without also removing the endometrial-like tissues outside of the uterus. It’s important to get rid of the right stuff.

8. Being emotional causes endometriosis

Not true! The illness is not caused by being emotional or having anxiety or depression. Endometriosis is a physiological disease that is very complex and multi-factorial. Women with this illness may experience emotional distress as a result of the ongoing uterus war, pain, and infertility, but these feelings are a result of the disease’s impact, not the disease itself.

9. Abortion causes endometriosis

Not true! There is no scientific evidence that abortion causes endometriosis. Those who claim otherwise may be mixing up the terms “endometriosis” and “endometritis.” Endometritis is an irritation or inflammation of the uterine lining. Endometriosis is not the same as this. It is more likely to occur after a miscarriage or childbirth, especially after a long labor or caesarian section, and is caused by infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, tuberculosis, or mixtures of normal vaginal bacteria.

10. Douching causes endometriosis

Not true! There is no scientific evidence that douching causes endometriosis. Those who claim otherwise may be mixing up “endometriosis” and “endometritis” (see above).