What is Endometriosis?
Courtesy of www.4woman.gov

This health article is brought to you by our Guest Editor of the month:
Sahar Elhodiri from KAKE-TV

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As a health reporter at KAKE-TV, my daily segments feature a wide range of medical issues – everything from breakthrough procedures and treatments to stories that can help us all to live a healthier life.

Over the past ten years on the health beat at three different television stations, I've had the chance to meet hundreds of patients with different illnesses who have shared their struggles and triumphs with our viewers, many times in hopes of helping someone else. Like them, I too have a personal story to share about a disease. Mine is endometriosis, something I've battled for nearly 20 years.

For as long as I can remember, I've had heavy menstrual periods and painful cramps, but I just thought it was normal. I finally realized something was terribly wrong one night when the pain so bad I was doubled over and couldn't stand up. That's when I went to a doctor who diagnosed me with endometriosis.

Over the years, I've had irregular periods - sometimes every two to three weeks, and I've had to spend days in bed taking prescription pain medication, and missing work and other activities. I've also had endometrial growths on my bladder, and cysts — sometimes the size of an orange — on my ovaries. Lately, I've had a lot of problems with my digestive system because many of the growths from the endometriosis have adhered to my colon. That is one thing that can make endometriosis so difficult to diagnose — symptoms like diarrhea and constipation can often be confused with digestive conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.

I've had hormone therapies and four laparoscopic surgeries to relieve my pain. They've all helped, but the problem with endometriosis is that it keeps coming back. That's why one of the hardest parts has always been struggling with the emotional ups and downs that all the hormonal changes bring - irritability, depression, and moodiness.

The good news is right now, I'm feeling much better than I have in a long time, and my doctors tell me I'm still able to conceive. Treatments for endometriosis can help improve fertility. There's still a lot we don't know about this mysterious illness, but the research continues. As we wait for more answers, I want to share with you what we do know now. And I want you to know that you too, can get relief.

Sahar Elhodiri, Reporter, KAKE-TV