Common Myths and Facts About Endometriosis

Your uterus is a complex system. When something goes wrong with just one of its components, it can lead to some serious discomfort.

Case in point: endometriosis. You develop this condition when your endometrium — the tissue that normally lines the interior of your uterus — grows outside of your uterus. This condition occurs more than you might think, and if you’ve received this diagnosis, you’re not alone. 

Our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners at Burlington OBGYN Associates in Burlington, Massachusetts, offers dedicated endometriosis care, and we can help you. Here, we bust a few common myths about this condition. 

Myth 1: Endometriosis is rare

Experts estimate that one in 10 women of childbearing age deals with endometriosis. That means 190 million women across the globe have experienced or are living with the discomfort and the other issues that this condition causes. 

Myth 2: You’re just having period cramps

Historically, when women sought medical care for endometriosis, they were often dismissed. That’s because the primary symptoms of endometriosis are a lot like period pain.

Here at Burlington OBGYN Associates, our female doctors and nurses understand normal period pain — and we know when your symptoms mean something else is going on. If you have serious pelvic pain when you’re menstruating, don’t hesitate to talk to us.

Myth 3: Endometriosis is always painful

For many women, it is. But you can also experience this abnormal tissue growth without any resulting discomfort. 

In fact, a lot of women only learn they have endometriosis when they’re trying to figure out infertility challenges. The misplaced tissue growth endometriosis causes can make it more difficult to get pregnant. 

That doesn’t mean you won’t be able to have a baby. But it does mean you should talk with our Burlington OBGYN Associates team. With a consultation, we can identify your body’s specific fertility challenges and work with you to develop a plan to overcome them. 

Myth 4: You can’t do anything about endometriosis

Far too many women suffer through their painful periods. It doesn’t have to be this way! We can create a treatment plan to alleviate your pain as much as possible. 

If you’re not currently trying to get pregnant, we can prescribe you hormonal birth control, which can help to soothe your symptoms. We also can prescribe gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists, which put you in temporary menopause to stop the growth of new endometrial tissue. 

If you’re ready to be done with your endometriosis once and for all, we can explore surgical options with you, too.

Ultimately, endometriosis is common, often painful, and treatable. It’s also possible to get pregnant even when you have this condition. The right medical care can make all the difference. 

If you think you might be living with endometriosis, call our office or book your appointment online today so we can create a personalized treatment plan for you.