Endometriosis is a painful and often debilitating condition that affects one in 10 women worldwide. For those who suffer from it, even simple daily tasks like running errands can become a challenge. Jessica Knouse, who has lived with endometriosis for years, knows this all too well.
“At its worst, the pain is debilitating,” Knouse shared. “It can be stabbing and burning. When it’s bad, you feel like you can’t do anything.”
Diagnosed more than a decade ago, Knouse’s journey to a proper diagnosis was long and frustrating. She saw seven different doctors before getting answers.
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of it, bonding to other organs. The intense pain is just one symptom, but it also causes infertility and chronic fatigue. In some cases, it can affect bowel and bladder function, depending on where the tissue adhesions are located.
“Every woman’s experience with endometriosis is different,” said Pamela Keller, a certified registered nurse practitioner at UPMC Magee-Womens Endometriosis Center. “That’s why it can take seven to 10 years for women to get a proper diagnosis.”
Treatment options are available, including hormone therapy and laparoscopic surgery to remove the lesions. For Knouse, surgery has been a part of her ongoing care. She had her first surgery in 2010 and has since undergone five more, the most recent in December 2022, when the tissue was found in her diaphragm.
“Since then, I’ve been maintaining,” she said.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for endometriosis, and the condition can continue to develop throughout a person’s life, even after reproductive organs like the uterus or ovaries are removed.
“Endometriosis can grow even if all reproductive organs are gone,” Keller explained.
Given this, Keller emphasizes the importance of seeing a specialist for proper diagnosis and treatment. The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is through surgery, which means many women suffer for years without answers.
Knouse urges others to stay hopeful. “The journey can feel overwhelming, but remember that you can live with this condition,” she said. “Don’t let it take over your life.”
Experts agree that awareness is key. Discussing endometriosis openly can lead to faster diagnoses and better treatment options in the future.
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