Endometriosis, A Simple Guide to The Condition, Treatment And Related Disorders

My uterus you cause me pain every period
The pain makes me cry like an idiot
Since puberty when I had my first monthly bleeding
The cramps you gave me causes my fainting

The pain was in my lower abdomen
It felt like I was stabbed by a javelin
My thighs and back were aching
I felt nauseated and start vomiting

Every month you prevent me from going to school
I have to take medical leave because of you
Then later working you make me absent from work
Because of this menstrual pain I nearly went berserk

Then I got married and had my first pregnancy
No menses, no monthly pain, it was heavenly
After my child birth I did not have any monthly pain
My beautiful baby my monthly pain you have contained

-An original poem by Kenneth Kee

Interesting Tips about the Painful Menses

A Healthy Lifestyle

1. Take a well Balanced Diet

2. Lie on your back, supporting your knees with a pillow

Hold a heating pad or hot water bottle on your abdomen or lower back

Take a warm bath

Gently massage your abdomen

Do mild exercises like stretching, walking, or biking - exercise may improve blood flow and reduce pelvic pain

Getting plenty of rest and avoiding stressful situations as your period approaches

Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine

3. Keep bones and body strong

Bone marrow produces our blood

Eat foods rich in calcium like yogurt, cheese, milk, and dark green vegetables.

Eat foods rich in Vitamin D, like eggs, fatty fish, cereal, and fortified milk.

Eat food rich in Vitamins B and C such as green vegetables and fruits

Zinc and other minerals are important to the body

4. Get enough rest and Sleep

Avoid stress and tension

5. Exercise and stay active.

It is best to do weight-bearing exercise such as walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, or lifting weights for 2½ hours a week.

One way to do this is to be active 30 minutes a day at least 5 days a week.

Begin slowly especially if a person has not been active.

6. Do not drink more than 2 alcohol drinks a day for a man or 1 alcohol drink a day for a woman.

Alcohol use also increases the chance of falling and breaking a bone.

Alcohol can affect the neurons and brain cells.

Too much alcohol with smoking can increase sensitivity to menstrual cramps.

7. Stop or do not begin smoking.

It also interferes with blood supply and healing.

Chapter 1

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is not uncommon in Singapore women. Many cases of severe abdominal menstrual cramps are often found to be caused by endometriosis.

In patients with menses cramps it is always advisable for them to go for a complete gynecological examination to determine the cause so a referral to a gynecologist is always a must.

Endometriosis is a disorder of the endometrial tissues (which line a woman's uterus) in which these tissues are implanted in places outside the uterus, usually in other parts of the pelvic cavity and abdomen.

However, in women with Endometriosis, blood from the implanted endometrial tissue is trapped inside, becomes inflamed, and develops into scar tissue.

Because of this inflammation, severe pain, infertility and bowel problems occur.

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Endometriosis
Chapter 2 Interesting Facts about Endometriosis
Chapter 3 Myths about Endometriosis
Chapter 4 Pelvic Inflammatory Diseases
Chapter 5 Uterine fibroids
Chapter 6 Dymenorrhea