Gynecological disease

Endometriosis: Understanding symptoms and treatments

Publié le 29 mai 2024 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

Endometriosis is a complex gynecologic disorder that affects women of childbearing age. It causes chronic pain. One in 10 women is potentially affected by the disease as soon as they reach puberty - more than 1.5 million people are affected, often without even knowing it. A national endometriosis awareness campaign was launched on May 27, 2024 to enable faster detection.

Endometriosis has a serious impact on the daily lives of the majority of women with endometriosis, particularly when they menstruate. But the average time to diagnosis of this inflammatory disorder is 7 years (the time from the first symptoms to the diagnosis). This delays the development of appropriate treatments, which can slow the progression of the disease. This duration can be explained by:

  • symptoms that are not specific to this disease;
  • the taboo around rules;
  • the normalization of pain experienced during menstrual cycles.

Symptoms vary from person to person. They may go unnoticed or be painful or even disabling.

The main symptoms of endometriosis are

  • pain in the abdomen and pelvis (the lower part of the belly), which may be chronic and is particularly severe at the time of menses;
  • pain during sexual intercourse;
  • difficulty urinating;
  • digestive problems;
  • chronic fatigue that impairs mental well-being (the inflammatory process related to endometriosis and repeated or chronic pain cause lasting fatigue).

Having experienced pain during menstruation in adolescence, after puberty, may be the first symptom of endometriosis. If you think you may be suffering from this disease, you can consult:

  • a general practitioner;
  • a gynecologist;
  • or a midwife.

The healthcare professional will discuss with you the nature and extent of the pain symptoms. This interview should be an opportunity for you to talk about the different pain, and unusual sensations, that you may experience.

To determine a diagnosis, you will then have to perform additional tests (abdominal-pelvic ultrasonography, MRI...).

FYI  

It is possible to have a child while having endometriosis. However, endometriosis sometimes results in decreased fertility. If you are planning to become pregnant, you can do a pre-conceptual consultation with a health care practitioner (attending physician, medical gynecologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, or midwife).

What to do if you have endometriosis?

To decrease the pain and damage in the body caused by endometriosis, various drugs may be prescribed. Choice of treatment is individualized; sometimes psychologic support is also needed. Regular medical follow-up is therefore recommended until menopause for:

  • take stock of any care provided (effectiveness and good tolerance);
  • check that medical care is appropriate for your situation;
  • Observe the course of the disease;
  • teach you to live the best possible with the disease every day.

This monitoring is carried out by the multidisciplinary team (treating doctor, gynecologist, surgeon, radiologist...) who determined your treatment.

After menopause, endometriosis usually resolves. Medical follow-up can therefore be further spaced out or stopped.

Please note

If you suffer from endometriosis, your treating doctor may prescribe you to stop work; these are usually short work stoppages but can be repeated frequently.

If you are hampered in your professional activity, your occupational doctor can analyze with you your working conditions (transport, activities...) and your difficulties in accomplishing all the tasks assigned to you. This consultation makes it possible to propose, if necessary:

  • adjustment of working hours and the introduction of teleworking, if possible;
  • the fitting-out of a post or activities;
  • a temporary part-time resumption for therapeutic reasons.

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