The Broad Reach of Menopause
To say that menopause can cast a wide net is a bit of an understatement. This hormonal transition can affect many areas of your physical, mental, cognitive, and emotional health. Keep reading to learn more.
A Closer Look at the "3 Ds" of Endometriosis
For the millions of women in the United States who have endometriosis (more than 1 in 10 women), life can get uncomfortable.
In fact, your world can be downright painful if you’re dealing with one or more of what we call the three Ds of endometriosis:
- Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
- Dyspareunia (painful sex)
- Dyschezia (painful bowel movements)
Since March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, board-certified gynecologist Dr. Karen F. Brodman wants to explain these endometriosis complications in more detail. We also review a few ways we can help women find relief.
Dysmenorrhea — when your periods become more painful
When you have endometriosis, it means that endometrial tissues and cells, which normally line the walls of your uterus, grow outside your uterus.
These misplaced tissues often adhere to reproductive organs, but they can grow elsewhere, such as around your bowels and their peritoneum (the lining of your abdominal cavity).
The problem arises when these tissues continue to respond to your menstrual cycles, which causes them to grow. Since they have nowhere to shed, these tissues can become inflamed, causing discomfort.
While 80% of women report some period pain, women with endometriosis can experience more severe pain. This pain can become more constant as endometrial tissues grow, leaving you with pelvic pain that occurs during your periods and in between.
Dyspareunia — when sex becomes painful
One of the places where endometrial tissues often grow is in the space between your rectum and your uterus. When this happens, many women experience pain during sex as the upper part of your vaginal canal can’t expand and open as it’s supposed to.
In fact, at least half of women with endometriosis experience painful sex.
Pelvic-wide inflammation and misplaced endometrial tissue in other locations can also contribute to discomfort.
Dyschezia — when bowel movements become painful
Rounding out the three Ds, we have painful bowel movements, especially around your periods. This is due to inflamed endometrial tissue located in and around your lower digestive tract, such as your colon (bowel) or rectum, which can disrupt bowel movements.
Finding relief from the three Ds of endometriosis
If you’re experiencing one or more of the three Ds of endometriosis, schedule an appointment with us. After reviewing your symptoms and goals, Dr. Brodman can suggest ways to find relief from endometriosis-related pain.
In many cases, we start with hormone therapies. These are designed to prevent further growth of your endometriosis and to quiet the inflammation that comes with your menstrual cycles.
While effective, if you are in a family building mode, these therapies won’t work because they prevent pregnancy. In these cases, minimally invasive surgery to remove endometrial tissue may be the best path forward.
To figure out how to find relief from your endometriosis, we suggest you start by sitting down with Dr. Brodman for a comprehensive evaluation. Simply contact us to schedule an appointment at our New York City office located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
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