While some discomfort is normal, many women unknowingly have endometriosis. This condition affects an estimated 11 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44. It can develop in women only a few years after the first menstrual period. But many will be asymptomatic until the condition is severe. Furthermore, the signs of endometriosis are easy to mistake for other conditions, and it’s common for women to mistake them for standard period pain.

So, what are the differences between endometriosis vs menstrual cramps?

Normal Menstrual Cramps

Cramps are a relatively normal part of the menstrual cycle. Not everyone experiences them. Some have no discomfort at all, while others only navigate mild issues during their cycles. But for some women, cramps can cause debilitating pain lasting several days.

Typically, menstrual cramps begin one to three days before your period. They can peak within 24 hours after your period starts before subsiding a few days into menstruation.

Cramps occur when the body produces high levels of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are necessary for menstruation because they trigger your uterus to contract and shed its lining. The period pain you feel during this time is the byproduct of those contractions. It can create a throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen. Higher levels of prostaglandins can lead to severe cramps.

Fortunately, the pain and discomfort are temporary, and there are many ways to address cramps. But for women who suffer from substantial period pain, it can be difficult to distinguish endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps.

RELATED: Pelvic Pain: When is it Serious?

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue or cells from the uterine lining move and proliferate outside the uterus. Endometrial tissue can end up somewhere in the pelvic cavity, bowel, bladder, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. Those implants can grow and bleed inside the abdomen as hormones from the ovaries feed them.

The body responds to the tissue, resulting in inflammation. The pain women feel with endometriosis is the byproduct of that inflammation.

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary. What’s worse is that endometriosis may not cause symptoms at all. It’s common for women to live with this condition for many years until it gets severe enough to cause debilitating pain.

The most common sign of endometriosis is experiencing a painful period every cycle. Timing is an important factor when determining whether discomfort results from endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps, timing is an important factor. Menstrual cramps typically begin several days before the period starts. But with endometriosis, pain occurs throughout your period.=

Women also often feel pain during intercourse. Some feel it during a bowel movement or urination. Every woman experiences endometriosis differently, and the pain level depends on how severe the issue is. In most cases, period pain is cyclical. However, it can also be chronic and debilitating.

Endometriosis may also cause menstrual irregularity. That can include heavy bleeding and unpredictable cycles. A recurring painful period becomes common over time as the condition worsens. Eventually, the proliferating tissue in the abdomen can damage nearby organs and cause infertility.

RELATED: Endometriosis Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid

Endometriosis vs. Menstrual Cramps Treatment

There are significant differences in treating endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps.

Treatment for menstrual cramps often involves over-the-counter pain relievers. Regularly taking these medications starting the day your period begins can help manage pain. For more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Many women also turn to breathing exercises, heating pads, and muscle-relaxing activities to address discomfort.

Treating endometriosis is a different process. Some techniques for dealing with menstrual cramps may provide relief, but successful treatment involves addressing the tissue causing inflammation. Depending on the severity of the case, doctors may recommend hormonal birth control or medications to stunt tissue growth. However, the most effective treatment is often surgical.

Dr. Michael Tahery performs minimally invasive laparoscopy to diagnose and remove endometriosis. While other diagnostic approaches can indicate endometriosis, laparoscopy is the proper way to diagnose the condition. Dr. Tahery can perform the laparoscopy through the belly button to analyze the tissue. If appropriate, Dr. Tahery can remove the excess tissue growing outside the uterus.

Individualized treatment is crucial for painful periods or endometriosis. So If you’re unsure whether your pain is a product of endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps, you can turn to Dr. Michael Tahery. Dr. Tahery has over two decades of experience treating women in the Los Angeles area. He’s a board-certified OB/GYN, a member of the Cedars Sinai Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery, and an expert in treating endometriosis. You can trust Dr. Tahery to take care of your needs and provide the personal treatment you need. Contact our offices today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tahery and discuss your period pain or endometriosis worries

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The cause of endometriosis is not yet known, and there is no cure for the illness, although there are multiple effective treatments that can minimize pain and other damaging side effects. Women with endometriosis may experience heavy bleeding during menstruation, painful intercourse and periods, potential infertility. While aggressive treatment is important to reduce the risks of complications, women can also bolster their fight against the condition by following key diet guidelines.

RELATED: Exercise Reduces the Pain from periods

Good Endometriosis Diet

An endometriosis-aware diet aims to minimize foods that boost estrogen levels or certain types of prostaglandins, which can contribute to endometriosis flare-ups, pain, and other complications from the disorder. Consuming the right foods can help to soothe symptoms and reduce inflammation.

Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fats are healthy fats, often found in fatty fish. These oils can help to reduce inflammation and pain. They are differentiated from omega-6 fats, often found in plant oils. Women with endometriosis may benefit from a high ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats in their diets. Foods rich in omega-3 fats include salmon, sardines, oysters, mackerel, and anchovies. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts are also healthy sources of omega-3 fats, especially for women following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Dietary Fiber

Whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can also be an important part of a healthful endometriosis diet. High fiber intake may lower estrogen levels, an important goal for women with endometriosis. It’s not just fiber, though: many high-fiber foods also boost antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and colorful foods like berries, spinach, beets, and oranges can be great contributions to a healthy diet.

Iron-rich Foods

This disorder is often linked to heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency. Iron-rich foods like broccoli, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens can help to boost iron resources and guard against deficiencies.

Bad Endometriosis Diet

On the other hand, there are also some key foods to avoid to boost health and resiliency when dealing with this condition.

RELATED: What is Endometriosis?

Soy Products

Soy is high in phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Excess estrogen can exacerbate symptoms, so avoiding further hormone disruption is important. Take care of your diet by avoiding soy milk, soy lecithin, and other soy products.

Red Meat and Processed Foods

High red-meat diets, especially when they contain highly processed red meats, may be linked to higher inflammation and even higher blood estrogen levels. While the link between red meat and endometriosis is unclear, other protein sources provide much more beneficial outcomes for women with the condition.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine is often found in tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Caffeine is a phytoestrogen, linked to higher estrogen levels, and it is also linked to abdominal cramps. Coffee can even inhibit iron absorption, a particular concern for women who may be particularly susceptible to iron deficiency. Alcohol has also been linked to higher estrogen levels and endometriosis risk, and excess consumption can add stress to the liver. Good liver function is important to remove high estrogen levels from the body.

There are a number of medical and surgical treatment options that can help to treat the symptoms of endometriosis and reduce the risk of complications. An individualized treatment plan can respond to each woman’s needs for the best possible results. To make an appointment for a consultation about diagnosis and treatment, contact the offices of Dr. Tahery at (310)446-4440 or use our secure online form.

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The pain becomes worse and worse with time and eventually no longer restricted to menses. Pain can appear randomly, with bowel movement, intercourse, cause frequent urination, bloatedness and many other symptoms. The usual age of diagnosis is late 20’s when the pain gets intolerable or if a couple has difficulty getting pregnant. The major issues reported are pain and infertility. Women with strong family history of endometriosis are at higher risk for the disease. Puberty hormones stimulate the growth of the endometriosis and menopausal hormone withdrawal marks the end of endometriosis. Endometriosis have been found in girls as young as 8 year of age. 

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of endometriosis is surgical. Diagnosis is performed through a small umbilical incision of 5mm by inserting a camera called a laparoscope inside the abdomen. This operation is usually recommended once a patient reports unbearable progressive menstrual pains, or unexplained fertility. Other times finding of a blood filled ovarian cyst also called endometrioma prompts a surgical evaluation and leads to diagnosis. Endometriosis is staged based on the spread of the disease identified during surgery. Severity of symptoms do not correlate with the extent of the disease.  

RELATED: Endometriosis Treatment in Los Angeles

TREATMENT

Treatment options are surgical and hormonal suppression. During a diagnostic laparoscopy endometriosis lesions can be eliminated using excision or lasers. Treatment can also be in the form of hormonal suppression such as birth control pills. Many women who are unable or unwilling to use birth control pills may use bio-identical hormones to suppress the growth of the endometriosis and control pain. The ideal treatment is a combination of the surgical and hormonal suppression. Surgically the extent of the disease can be determined and the visible lesions can be excised which reduces pains and improve fertility. Hormonal suppression is also used to reduce the disease progression or recurrence.

Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial since endometriosis expands with time. In my practice women diagnosed early usually have the best outcome. Do not ignore persistent signs and symptoms. If you suspect endometriosis in yourself or a friend and would like to be evaluated please give us a call or pay us a visit in Glendale or West Los Angeles.

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