{"id":138,"date":"2015-03-15T13:00:07","date_gmt":"2015-03-15T20:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=138"},"modified":"2020-03-03T17:12:11","modified_gmt":"2020-03-04T01:12:11","slug":"what-it-really-means-to-have-endometriosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/endo-blog\/what-it-really-means-to-have-endometriosis\/","title":{"rendered":"What it Really Means to Have Endometriosis"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center; color: #532f64;\"><strong>\u201cIn reality, this disease can be like having tens or hundreds of excruciatingly painful blisters covering the inside of the pelvis.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d31242{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d31242\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><style>.ld_button_69d4562d3135f.btn-icon-solid .btn-icon{background:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f.btn-icon-circle.btn-icon-ripple .btn-icon:before{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f.btn-icon-solid:hover .btn-icon{background:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f{background-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f:hover{background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f .btn-gradient-bg-hover{background:-webkit-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);background:linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f.btn-bordered{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d3135f.btn-bordered:hover{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}<\/style><a href=\"https:\/\/0gqncdq3.pages.infusionsoft.net\/\" class=\"btn btn-solid btn-xsm semi-round btn-bordered border-thin ld_button_69d4562d3135f\">\n\t<span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"btn-txt\">Download the PDF copy<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d31483{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d31483\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>[vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;11730&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_rounded&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/endometriosis-specialty-center\/learn-about-endometriosis\/endometriosis-symptoms\/\">Is your pelvic pain caused by endometriosis?<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/2&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]Endometriosis by definition is a disease process whereby tissue somewhat like the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) exists outside the uterus. This \u201crogue\u201d endometrial-like tissue most commonly involves the peritoneum, a thin layer of tissue that lines the pelvic structures, the bowel, the bladder and the ovaries. Quite frankly a lot of this medical stuff can be quite dry and boring and does not convey what it is like for a woman to have this disease and how it truly impacts her life, her family, her career, her sex life, and her ability to live her life in very basic ways.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]Patients with endometriosis can experience horrific pain \u2013 for the lucky ones it lasts just a couple of days during their period, and in the worst cases the pain is 24\/7. The dichotomy between the way women with endometriosis look well on the outside but are experiencing excruciating pain internally can cause even well-meaning people to doubt the severity of their pain.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner]<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d314b8{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d314b8\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]Most women begin to have pain in their teenage years, sometimes even starting in junior high school. While similar in timing, this pain is completely different than normal menstrual cramps. It is not uncommon for these girls to miss a couple of days of school each month from cyclic pain that can exceed the level of pain patients experience after major surgery.<\/p>\n<p>A lack of awareness of this disease can leave these girls without a correct diagnosis and support from their physicians. This can lead to a lack of appropriate treatment for the pain and invalidation of the patient\u2019s situation. Her family is now led to believe that psychological issues drive the severity of her pain.[\/vc_column_text]<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d314db{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d314db\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4 style=\"text-align: center; color: #532f64;\">In this tragic situation, she is effectively held prisoner and tortured by her own body in broad daylight, with no one who fully understands her situation or who can effectively help her.<\/h4>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text]<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d314fd{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d314fd\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><style>.ld_button_69d4562d31567.btn-icon-solid .btn-icon{background:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567.btn-icon-circle.btn-icon-ripple .btn-icon:before{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567.btn-icon-solid:hover .btn-icon{background:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567{background-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567:hover{background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567 .btn-gradient-bg-hover{background:-webkit-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);background:linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567 .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567 .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567.btn-bordered{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31567.btn-bordered:hover{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}<\/style><a href=\"https:\/\/0gqncdq3.pages.infusionsoft.net\/\" class=\"btn btn-solid btn-xsm semi-round btn-bordered border-thin ld_button_69d4562d31567\">\n\t<span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"btn-txt\">Download the full \u201cWhat it Really Means to have Endometriosis\u201d PDF guide to share with friends and family.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d315db{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d315db\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]In this tragic situation, she is effectively held prisoner and tortured by her own body in broad daylight, with no one who fully understands her situation or who can effectively help her.<\/p>\n<p>The symptoms usually progress as she matures into a young woman. Both the severity and duration of the pain typically increase. Initially, most days each month are pain-free, but the number of these days slowly decreases until there are a greater number of non-functioning pain days. The unpredictability of the increasing number of pain days makes it challenging to maintain a functional life. It becomes increasingly difficult to make plans for a future date as it becomes more likely that it will be a pain day and she will not be able to follow through on her commitment for the activity.[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]As a disease, endometriosis can take away many additional aspects of a normal life. Mothers cannot reliably meet the needs of their children when the pain is too severe to function. Wives try to push through the pain to be intimate with their husbands, but eventually, the pain becomes too intense to continue. Grinding fatigue as severe as that experienced with advanced cancer is present in most cases. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/endo-blog\/endo-belly\/\">Bloating<\/a>, moodiness, and bladder and bowel issues are common as well.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]Feeling like a vibrant desirable woman is long since gone. Acting like the loving compassionate woman, mother and partner that she truly is becomes more and more difficult. The stress on family relationships is common and real.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;11746&#8243; img_size=&#8221;full&#8221; style=&#8221;vc_box_rounded&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;][vc_column_text]<a href=\"\/endometriosis-specialty-center\/learn-about-endometriosis\/endometriosis-treatment-options\/\">Learn how to end this suffering.<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]Even at this stage, most women fight the disease, refusing to let it completely take over their life. You would most likely pass right by them in public, having no idea of the devastation they are dealing with. Most of the time they get up, put on a brave face and do their best to live a normal life.<\/p>\n<p>The medical definition of endometriosis does not even begin to describe the reality of what it means to have endometriosis. The next time you hear about endometriosis, please remember how devastating this disease can be to a person. While endometriosis can be frustrating, if you have a loved one, friend or co-worker who suffers from endometriosis, please remember to treat them with respect and compassion.[\/vc_column_text]<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d315fb{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d315fb\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div><style>.ld_button_69d4562d31687.btn-icon-solid .btn-icon{background:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687.btn-icon-circle.btn-icon-ripple .btn-icon:before{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687.btn-icon-solid:hover .btn-icon{background:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687{background-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687:hover{background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687 .btn-gradient-bg-hover{background:-webkit-linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);background:linear-gradient(to right, rgb(255, 255, 255) 0%, rgb(255, 255, 255) 100%);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687 .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687 .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:first-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687:hover .btn-gradient-border defs stop:last-child{stop-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687.btn-bordered{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}.ld_button_69d4562d31687.btn-bordered:hover{border-color:rgb(83, 47, 100);}<\/style><a href=\"\/review-my-case\/\" class=\"btn btn-solid btn-xsm semi-round btn-bordered border-thin ld_button_69d4562d31687\">\n\t<span>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"btn-txt\">Ready to start your healing journey? Request a free virtual consultation today.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\n\t<span class=\"btn-icon\"><i class=\"fa fa-chevron-right\"><\/i><\/span>\t\t\t<\/span>\n<\/a>\n<style>.ld_spacer_69d4562d31728{height:32px;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"ld-empty-space ld_spacer_69d4562d31728\"><span class=\"liquid_empty_space_inner\"><\/span><\/div>[vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;fadeIn&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h4>READ MORE<\/h4>\n<p><a href=\"\/endometriosis-specialty-center\/learn-about-endometriosis\/\">Learn More About Endometriosis<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/endometriosis-specialty-center\/learn-about-endometriosis\/endometriosis-symptoms\/\">Endometriosis Symptoms<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"\/endometriosis-specialty-center\/learn-about-endometriosis\/endometriosis-treatment-options\/\">Endometriosis Treatment Options<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What does it really mean to have endometriosis? Dr. Cook discusses how it impacts a woman&#8217;s life, her family, her career, her sex life, and her ability to live her life in very basic ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":16179,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[91,92,96,1],"tags":[146,193],"class_list":["post-138","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-dr-cook","category-endometriosis-pelvic-pain","category-endo-basics","category-uncategorized","tag-endometriosis","tag-pelvic-pain"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=138"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/138\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16179"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=138"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=138"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.vitalhealth.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=138"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}