When Should Period Pain Worry You?
Mild cramping during periods is common. But endometriosis can cause severe period pain, pelvic discomfort, and fertility issues that go far beyond ordinary cramps.
Red flags include pain that worsens over the years, pain that starts days before bleeding, pain during intercourse, painful bowel movements during periods, and cramps that don't respond to simple pain relievers.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — most commonly on the ovaries and pelvic structures. Each month this tissue responds to hormonal changes, causing inflammation, scarring, and pain.
It affects roughly one in ten women of reproductive age, and on average women wait years for a diagnosis because their pain is dismissed as 'normal'.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Evaluation involves a detailed history, pelvic examination, and ultrasound, with MRI or laparoscopy in selected cases. Laparoscopy allows both confirmation of the diagnosis and precise surgical treatment in the same sitting.
Treatment is individualized: pain-relieving medicines, hormonal therapy to suppress the disease, and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery to remove lesions while preserving fertility whenever possible.
Pain that makes you plan your life around your period is not something to endure — it is something to investigate.
Early diagnosis and treatment help relieve symptoms and protect reproductive health. If your period pain is disrupting your life, consult Dr. Pakeeza Haque for a thorough endometriosis evaluation.