Endometriosis Pain:
Endometriosis pain refers to the discomfort or severe pain experienced by individuals with endometriosis, a medical condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This displaced tissue, often found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic structures, responds to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, causing inflammation, scarring, and pain.
What does endometriosis pain feel like?
Pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis, but each woman’s experience of endometriosis pain, and how this affects their quality of life, is slightly different. For example:
- Severity – endometriosis pain can range from mild to extremely painful.
- Frequency – endometriosis pain is chronic, meaning its reoccurrences are ongoing. It’s usually worse during your period but can happen during other times of the month. For some, pain can last all through the month, with changing intensity. Sometimes, sexual intercourse and going to the toilet make it worse.
- Where in the body – it’s most common to experience this pain in the lower part of your tummy, called pelvic pain, where regular period pain occurs. But you might feel pain in other places, such as your lower back, rectum, or legs, depending on where your endometriosis cells grow.
If you’re living with endometriosis, the cycle of chronic pain can be difficult to cope with and can affect your mental health. Keisha Meek, a 31 year old from Leeds, has lived with endometriosis for 20 years. Read about Keisha’s story of endometriosis pain and how she found life-changing support here.
Tips to help in endometriosis pain?
Pain Medications:
Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen, are commonly used to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation associated with endometriosis. These medications help manage the discomfort and cramping that often accompany the condition.
Hormonal Therapies:
Hormonal treatments, such as birth control pills, hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), or GnRH agonists, play a crucial role in regulating the menstrual cycle and reducing endometriosis-related pain. By altering hormonal fluctuations, these therapies aim to alleviate symptoms and discomfort.
Light to moderate exercise
Some people have reported that exercise helps during flare ups: “for me, walking, yoga, and going to the gym eases my body up when areas have cramped in pain,” says Keisha.
Experts think light to moderate exercise may ease pain by:
- Improving your fitness, posture, muscle balance, and joint mobility, which is shown to help with a range of painful conditions.
- Reducing oestrogen levels, a hormone that contributes to inflammation and pain in women with endometriosis.
- Releasing endorphins, the happy hormones that help relieve pain and stress.
Mind-body exercises like yoga may improve pain control and have the added benefit of supporting mental wellbeing2. No matter what physical activity you try when in pain, keep it light to moderate, start small, and work within your body’s limits – which may change from day to day.
Endometriosis diet:
Adopting a diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods, including fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, can be beneficial in managing endometriosis pain. These dietary adjustments aim to reduce inflammation and provide nutritional support for individuals with the condition.
Heat Therapy:
Applying heat, such as a heating pad or warm compress, to the lower abdomen can help relax muscles and alleviate pain associated with endometriosis. Heat therapy is a non-pharmacological approach commonly used for its soothing effects on pelvic discomfort.
TENS machine
A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) machine is a small device with sticky pads that attach to your skin and deliver mild electrical pulses. These don’t hurt but may feel ticklish. The idea is that the electrical pulses block pain by either disrupting pain messages travelling in your nerves, or by encouraging the release of endorphins, your body’s natural pain-relievers.
A TENS machine is small, lightweight, and easy to use on the move – you can clip it to your belt, put it in your pocket, or hold it in your hand. It doesn’t work for everyone, so before buying your own you may wish to borrow one from your pain specialist or physiotherapist.
Acupuncture:
Some individuals find relief from endometriosis pain through acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice involving the insertion of thin needles into specific points on the body. Acupuncture is believed to influence the body’s energy flow and alleviate discomfort.
Osteopathy and massage
Some people turn to osteopathy and other forms of massage during endometriosis flare ups. Osteopathy practitioners use their hands to massage areas of soft tissue abnormalities – like endometrial tissue – and the surrounding muscles that may have seized up in response to pain, which can help alleviate this symptom7. Therapeutic massage applies less physical pressure but focusses more on relaxation, making it a good mind-body option for some people who find osteopathy uncomfortable.
Surgical Intervention:
In severe cases, surgical procedures such as laparoscopy may be necessary to remove endometriotic tissue and alleviate pain. Surgery aims to address the underlying cause of the pain by removing abnormal tissue growth, offering a more direct approach to pain management.
Individuals with endometriosis often benefit from a combination of these strategies, and healthcare professionals play a crucial role in tailoring treatment plans to address the unique needs and symptoms of each patient.
Conclusion:
