Millions of people suffer with this condition – and it can have a major impact on their lives
A woman living with a common condition has said that there are three symptoms many people don’t talk about – and if you have them, it could be time to chat to your GP. Taking to TikTok, the account who goes by the name Endo Tips aka @justanothergirlwithendo, has shared “three symptoms of endometriosis that nobody seems to be talking about” stressing that many of these are fobbed off by doctors as something else.
She reveals that she has endometriosis – a common whole body condition that occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. These cells can grow and change in response to hormones in the menstrual cycle, this can cause inflammation, pain and scar tissue.
In her video, which has almost 200k views, she says: “First of all, we’ve got chronic fatigue that literally feels as if your body is walking through quicksand. I’m not trying to exaggerate at all but it literally feels as if your body is being held down by a ton of bricks and you can’t move.
“One of the hardest things about endometriosis is trying to explain to somebody who doesn’t have it, how it feels being tired because you’re not tired your chronically fatigued.” She added that many people will reply with how they also feel tired, however she stresses that it is not the same as, for example, not getting enough sleep.
She goes on to say that another lesser-known symptom is all to do with your stomach. “You’ve got digestive issues that are always misdiagnosed for IBS and digestive issues are literally going from constipation to diarrhoea to everything in between to then having painful bowel movements which is just not nice.”
In addition to this, she says endo – the term many people shorten the condition to – messes with your diet and how you react to food and drink. She says that many people can be “sensitive to food and you don’t really know what flares you up because everything is flaring you up and causing you to bloat.”
In her third and final symptom warning, she says: “If you’ve got bladder problems that feels like it’s a UTIs but it’s not a UTI. I’s literally endometriosis symptoms and these bladder problems are things like needing to pee all the time, burning sensations when you’re peeing – so it is really similar to a UTI but it’s not.”
What are the different types of endometriosis?
Endometriosis UK states thare are four different types and it’s possible to have more than one type. The different types refer to the location, amount and depth of endometrial lesions.
- Peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis – is found mainly on the pelvic peritoneum – a thin film that lines the inner surface of the pelvis and surrounds the pelvic organs.
- Ovarian endometriosis (endometrioma) – is when endometriosis cysts are found in the ovaries.
- Deep endometriosis – is found in locations such as the bladder, bowel and recto-vaginal septum (tissue separating the vagina and the rectum). The lesions of endometriosis are at a deeper level than peritoneal (superficial) endometriosis.
- Extra-pelvic endometriosis – is when endometriosis is found outside of the pelvis, such as the thorax (chest) and caesarean scars.
What are the signs and symptoms of endometriosis?
- Bloating
- Pelvic pain
- Painful periods that interfere with everyday life
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Pain during or after sex
- Painful bowel movements/when having a poo
- Pain when urinating/peeing
- Difficulty getting pregnant – up to 70% of those with endometriosis will be able to get pregnant naturally
- Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms
