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What is Endometriosis?
According to Mayo Clinic Endometriosis is a disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus in places where it doesn’t belong.
With endometriosis, deposits of tissue that act just like the tissue lining the uterus develop outside the uterus. This tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each period. But the blood has no way to leave the body and becomes trapped.
What are symptoms of Endometriosis
Painful periods can happen with endometriosis. There may be heavy bleeding or pain during sex or when having a bowel movement or urinating.
Having trouble getting pregnant is also common with endometriosis.
Pain medication and hormone therapy may ease symptoms. Minor surgery to remove endometriosis deposits can help with fertility problems. It can also help in cases of severe pain.
What Black Women Should Know About Endometriosis
Endometriosis symptoms are severe and can be debilitating for many Black women, but it’s hard to understand just how big of a problem this is without looking at the statistics.
- Most women are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and35 (but girls as young as 11 have been reported with endometriosis)
- It is estimated that between 3-18% of women suffer from the condition
- Up to 50% of those with infertility are later diagnosed
- Up to 80% of women who report chronic pelvic pain may be experiencing symptoms
- Up to 40% of Black women diagnosed with PID actually had severe endometriosis
- Black women were, on average, 2.6 years older than those of other races when diagnosed
