4 Signs You May Actually Have Endometriosis

Painful cramps (back, abdomen or groin). Painful bowel movements. Heavy and/or long menstrual bleeding. Fatigue. Bloating. Pain during intercourse. If this sounds like your run-of-the-mill period, then we’ve got a problem. That’s because many of those symptoms are key signs of the common condition, endometriosis.

This disorder occurs when the endometrial tissue that forms the lining of the uterus, grows other places in the body. Once outside of the uterus, the tissue is able to reproduce itself and continue spreading. On top of that, many of the most common symptoms of endometriosis mimic those of PMS, uterine fibroids, pelvic inflammatory disease and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Therefore, endometriosis growths often go unchecked and the condition remains undiagnosed, sometimes for upwards of a decade.

To ensure that women of all ages—from the time of your first menstrual cycle to your last—know the common signs of endometriosis, Sheila Warren, RN, GMC’s Wellness Navigator, explains the key symptoms you should never ignore.

Painful cramps.

Yes, a certain amount of cramping during your period is to be expected. After all, your uterus is contracting to shed its lining. However, there’s a point at which cramps turn from bearable—albeit unpleasant—to extremely severe and painful.

“For instance, sharp localized or shooting pain in your abdomen, groin, back or rectum, this could be a sign of endometriosis, especially if you notice this pain between andduring your period,” explains Warren.

“If you’re on the fence about whether or not your cramps are really that severe, a good rule-of-thumb is whether or not your cramps affect or limit your everyday activities.”

Digestive issues.

When it’s running smoothly, the digestive tract works to process food by moving it from the stomach, though the intestinal tract and finally to the rectum. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that can interfere with this process along the way—and it doesn’t take much.

“Whether it’s eating something questionable, having endometriosis or battling IBS, any number of things can disrupt the digestive process,” notes Warren. This leads to symptoms like pain, cramping, constipation, diarrhea and bloating.

“While IBS causes all of these symptoms, there are few key ways endometriosis-induced tummy trouble differs,” adds Warren. “The main takeaway being that with endometriosis, pain and cramping will not decrease after a bowel movement, like it does with IBS.”

Heavy periods.

Depending on who you ask, you’ll receive a different definition of what constitutes a heavy period. This is often based on personal experience. Unfortunately, though, for a woman with endometrioses, a heavy period may be all she knows.

Of course it isn’t just endometriosis that impacts your monthly cycle. There are many other factors that come into play, such as stress, exercise, weight loss/gain and more. 

“There are many different ways to gauge the heaviness of periods—flow, clotting or number of days—so if you feel your periods may be abnormal, it’s best to consult with your medical provider,” emphasizes Warren.

Fatigue.

Energy seems to be one of those things that’s always in short supply. Whether it’s a lack of sleep, sitting in an office all day, eating junk food or all of the above, it doesn’t take much to zap your energy.

However, when that drowsy tiredness that creeps in every afternoon shifts into chronic fatigue, there could be something more at play, like endometriosis. “Because of the increased blood loss each month, some women experience fatigue as a result of anemia,” says Warren.

“If you’re struggling to concentrate, having difficulty sleeping, experiencing aching muscles or joints, or weakness, this may be cause for concern,” notes Warren. “If you notice these symptoms peaking during your period, endometriosis may be the culprit.”

Are there any other symptoms?

The truth is there are a wide variety of symptoms that can be linked to endometriosis. You may notice pain with sex, nausea/vomiting, painful urination, spotting or no symptoms at all. “The only way you’ll really know if its endometriosis or something else entirely, is to work with your healthcare provider,” notes Warren.

“If you notice any of these symptoms, or are experiencing something that’s abnormal for you, don’t wait to get care.” Put your mind and symptoms at ease by talking with the provider that knows you and your health best.

Complete care for every stage of life.

The expertsof Gwinnett Physicians Group–OB/GYN are dedicated to fulfilling the unique medical needs of women. With an extensive range of comprehensive women’s health services, you will receive personalized care you deserve. And because we know that women’s health extends beyond gynecologic and reproductive care, Gwinnett Physician’s Group OB/GYN can connect you with the vast array of services and resources of GMC.

Your Period Changes As You Age: What You Should Know

We all remember that day—the day when you got your first period. Once the initial shock and embarrassment wore off, it took a little getting used to. But like most women, you probably figured it’d get easier with age. After all, once you reach your 30s and 40s, you’ve had decades of experience—right? Unfortunately, though, it isn’t quite that simple. 

In fact, for many women, it can feel like their period is anything but routine. Sometimes it’s heavy, sometimes it’s light and other times you have the worst—cramps—ever. As it turns out, periods don’t just change from month to month, they actually change from decade to decade. Hopefully that means they'll be moving in the lighter direction!

Sheila Warren, RN, GMC's Wellness Navigator, provides a quick look at your period through the decades:  

Your 20s:

While irregularity was the name of the game in your teenage years, your 20s come just in time with some much needed consistency. A typical period in your 20s lasts anywhere from 3 to 7 days and comes every 21 to 35 days (hopefully luck is on your side and you fall on the shorter end). But just because this is a typical cycle for a majority of women doesn’t mean it’s the norm for you and your body. Don’t fret if your period doesn’t come and go like clockwork. And if you have frequent cramping to boot, that is to be expected as women in their 20s report more cramping than older women.

It’s important to clarify that while irregularities here and there may be common, experiencing them several months in a row isn’t. Here’s what you should know:

·         Missed periods: Everything from stress, medications and exercise can impact your period, but if it goes missing for several months, there could be something else to blame (like polycystic ovary syndrome). If you miss 3 in a row, it’s time to see your women’s health provider.

·         Heavy bleeding or spotting: Benign growths, like ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, are common culprits when it comes to irregular bleeding. Spotting can also be the result of lower than normal progesterone. But timing is everything, so if you notice spotting after sex or your period is extra heavy several months in a row, it’s time to see your doctor.

Your 30s:

Unlike your 20s, your 30s are a time when your monthly cycle becomes less about the actual bleeding and more about all the accompanying symptoms. Thanks to an uptick in hormonal surprises, you’re more likely to experience night sweats, mood changes, breast tenderness and shorter cycles (meaning more frequent periods).

Some of these changes are due to a shift in hormones, namely a drop in estrogen levels. Make sure to take note if you notice these changes:

·         Intense PMS: Sure, you may have left the intense cramping back in your 20s, but now the bloating, sore breasts, food cravings and mood swings really settle in. There are subtle, everyday changes you can make to minimize these symptoms, like getting sleep, routine exercise and a balanced diet. But if these changes don’t seem to make a dent in your PMS, ask for help from your women’s health expert.

·         Extra heavy bleeding: A heavy period is hard to define--after all, it means something different to every women. However, a good rule of thumb is to talk to your provider if you are changing your feminine hygiene products every 2 to 3 hours, multiple days.

·         Long stretches between periods: More time between periods may be music to your ears, but big gaps between periods could be cause for concern. For instance, going over 60 days between periods could indicate low estrogen levels or premature ovarian failure.

Your 40s:

Just when you thought you were a period pro, then along come your 40s. Similar to your teenage years, this decade throws a bit of a curveball as period irregularity becomes your new normal. Thanks to your ever-shifting hormone levels, each month’s period is a bit of a wild card. Some months you may not have any bleeding, other months your ovaries are making up for lost time with a heavier-than-normal flow—it just depends on the month. And don’t forget about increased PMS symptoms like hot flashes and moodiness.

While you may be counting down the years until you’re done with periods for good, in the meantime, if you notice any of these changes, talk with your women’s health provider:

·         Extra heavy bleeding (and pelvic pain): Because of varying estrogen levels, it makes sense that your periods may be varying, too. However, conditions like endometriosis and fibroids can be aggravated by shifting hormone levels. If you notice heavy bleeding with pelvic pain, make sure to see your women’s health provider.

·         Skipped periods: Just because irregular periods may be more common, that doesn’t mean there can’t be a (unexpected) underlying cause behind an absent period. It’s important to be mindful of pregnancy until menopause.

Everything you need to know about your flow.

Women’s health is only one piece of your overall health, but that doesn’t make it any less important. That’s why GMC’s Wellness Navigator offers personalized care and support to honor what makes you—and your health—unique. Whether you’re in search of expert information, preventative care or recommendations for diagnostics and treatment, Sheila is always there, ready to help. Remember, there is no health concern too small.

6 Reassuring Reasons To Love Your Period

The struggle is real. After all, it’s the busiest time of the year and routine things, like your period, don’t get the memo. While it may be the last thing you want to deal with in the midst of the holiday season, there may be some unexpected reasons to love your period.

Of course, this doesn’t make the bloating, cramping and discomfort any easier. But exercise, calcium-rich foods, fiber may do the trick. So, with all of that being said, what are the period positives? Here’s why you should go with the flow:

1. You get a snapshot of your overall health.

For starters, the fact that you even have a period is an indication that everything is running smoothly. After all, everything from weight and stress to exercise and thyroid health can impact your regularity. The heaviness of your flow can also say a lot. For instance, it may signal that you have PCOS, uterine fibroids or pelvic inflammatory disease.  

2. You may be burning more calories.

Your basal metabolic rate, or the rate at which you burn calories when you are at rest, fluctuates throughout the month. The good news is, it reaches its high point right before your period starts. So, what does this mean for you? On average, you’ll burn about 4% more calories a day.

3. Your body is gym-ready.

That is if you can manage to swap those comfy sweats for workout clothes. Right before you start your period, your progesterone and estrogen levels are higher than usual, which means you’ll burn more fat while exercising.

And once you start your period, your progesterone and estrogen levels drop, which gives your body extra fuel and leads to a harder workout. And there’s an added bonus—when you work out during this time of the month, you’ll have fewer cramps and a lighter flow.

4. You have a really good reason to enjoy holiday treats.

Not that you needed a reason to enjoy chocolate during this time of year, but with your period you can enjoy indulging even more. As it turns out, the most common cravings during menstruation are salty, snack foods and of course—chocolate. But women crave these particular foods for good reason.

During this time of the month, low progesterone levels can lead to lower blood sugar levels, which leads to a hankering for sugar. Yet another reason is the change in serotonin levels, which spikes carb cravings.

5. You can finally indulge in some self-care.

Day after day, it’s easy to push your individual needs aside in an effort to get things done, especially during this hectic time of year. But the truth is, your period is the perfect time to listen to your body and do something for yourself. Whether that means having a sweet treat, taking a nap, watching a holiday movie or going to the gym—whatever you’ll enjoy most.

6. Your body experiences some cool changes.

So, if the five reasons above weren’t enough to help you fall back in love with your period, here are a few extra reasons:

·         Your voice may change (thanks to your reproductive hormones)

·         It may help you to fight off free radicals (all because you lose iron every month)

·         Your natural scent changes when you’re on your period

Stay in the know about your flow.

At times, it may feel like your period has a mind of its own. After all, it can vary from woman to woman and from month to month, making it hard to tell what’s normal. That’s why it’s important to regularly see an OB/GYN.

As one of the health providers that knows you best, your OB/GYN can help you to determine what’s best for you—and your reproductive health—at every stage of life. You can count on the knowledgeable providers at Gwinnett Physicians Group OB/GYN for all of your women’s health needs. 

And don't forget to mark your calendar for the upcoming GMC Women's Wellness Day. This innovative event provides women of all ages the opportunity to learn from some of the area's top health experts on how to make 2018 the best year yet!