Could it be Endometriosis?
If you’ve ever sought, or considered seeking, medical attention for period-related pain, you should be assessed for endometriosis. Approximately 1 in 10 menstruating individuals struggle with the condition. However, because there’s a common misperception that period pain is normal, as well as there being no simple diagnostic tool for endometriosis, it is often eithermissed completely or the diagnosis is significantly delayed.
Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition that causes lesions that can occur anywhere in the pelvic cavity. Typically severe pain is the main symptom, but you could also be experiencing long periods, heavy bleeds, bleeding between periods, and infertility.
Naturopathic doctors are especially well equipped to catch, and therefore treat, endometriosis in its early stages. Our long consult appointments allow us to do a thorough history taking. This detailed understanding of your symptoms along with other aspects of your health informs us of the likelihood that endometriosis is part of the picture. The resulting treatment plan will address your hormones, immune function, and diet and lifestyle, all of which play a role in the condition.
If you have already been diagnosed with endometriosis and are facing the possibility of surgery, we can work on how to best optimize outcomes and prevent recurrence if surgery is pursued.