What’s not normal about that time of the month

Imagine that every month you experienced pelvic pain, and for up to a week every month you suffered from cramping, fatigue and may experience painful urination or bowel movements. For some women this is normal, but is it actually a normal part of being a woman?

Affecting an estimated one in 10 women of reproductive age in the U.S.¹ and marked by pelvic pain, endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to that normally found in the uterus (endometrium) grows outside the uterus.²  

A recent survey* revealed that while the majority of women have heard of endometriosis, few (29 percent) can identify all its symptoms.³ 

We spoke with Beth Battaglino, CEO of HealthyWomen, about the condition and findings from “What Do You Know About Endometriosis?," an online survey conducted in the U.S. by HealthyWomen in partnership with AbbVie among 1,211 women over the age of 18 and 352 health care professionals. 

Q: Based on the survey results, it seems that women have heard of endometriosis, but do not have a full understanding of its symptoms. Why?
A: Yes, our survey reflects that exact statement – 81 percent of the 1,123 women who responded had heard of endometriosis³ – but the disconnect is most women may not immediately think ‘I have endometriosis’ because they are not aware of the symptoms. Women may think, ‘this is part of my monthly period’ or ‘I just have severe cramping.’ Therefore, they don’t have a conversation regarding their discomfort during their visit with their HCP.

Q: What are some of the barriers to getting an endometriosis diagnosis?
A: Not understanding that symptoms like painful cramps, pain during urination or bowel movements, pain during sex and heavy bleeding could be something more, or being embarrassed to have a conversation with their HCP. We want to encourage conversation with health care providers, so when women have an annual visit with an OB/GYN, they ask ‘Is this normal?’ And if it is endometriosis, to discuss a treatment plan that is right for her.

Q: How does awareness/understanding compare to other diseases women experience?
A: The interesting thing about endometriosis is that women seem to have heard the word – but do not fully understand the signs and are not talking about their symptoms with their HCP. Women can go up to 10 years without with a proper diagnosis of endometriosis. With other diseases like HPV, you have diagnostic tests and guidelines based on age of when they need to be done. That doesn’t exist for endometriosis.