Endometriosis – The Unrecognised Condition

From my own experience, I know that it took many, many years before my symptoms were finally taken seriously.

Somehow, we women are taught that suffering is natural or acceptable, that painful menstruation is simply part of being a woman. That we have to endure it. That this is just how it is. And we accept it.

For a long time, I also believed that this was how it was supposed to be. Today, I know: Pain is not a natural state.

I feel it is important to talk about what may be behind your symptoms. So that you do not only start paying attention to yourself when you are planning to have a child. Your body’s signals are not tied to family planning.

Your body matters every day. You matter every day.

The many conversations I have had with you, together with my own experiences, have reinforced something in me: far too often, we are only truly taken seriously when we say that we now want to have a child.

As if our pain alone were not reason enough. As if our suffering only became “real” when our fertility was involved. But you do not have to become a mother to deserve attention. You do not have to prove that your pain matters.

Your body’s signals are important. Your questions are valid. And your pain is real – even if others failed to recognise it for a long time.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus appears outside the uterine cavity – for example, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, in the pelvic area, or around the bowel or bladder.

These tissues respond to the hormonal cycle in the same way as the lining inside the uterus: they swell, cause inflammation, bleed, and trigger pain.

Symptoms that should definitely raise suspicion

1. Severe, cramping menstrual pain

• the pain prevents you from carrying out everyday activities and you are unable to get out of bed
• without painkillers, it is difficult or completely impossible to tolerate
• it often begins several days before menstruation

2. Unusual pain

• lower abdominal, lower back, or pelvic pain, numbness in the legs
• the pain may radiate into the thighs, sacrum, or rectal area
• stabbing, burning, or tightening sensations

3. Painful intercourse

• pain during penetration
• discomfort that continues after intercourse

4. Digestive and urinary symptoms

• bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation
• painful bowel movements
• frequent or painful urination

5. Menstrual cycle irregularities

• heavy or prolonged menstruation
• bleeding between periods
• irregular cycles

6. Constant exhaustion

• persistent fatigue
• signs of inflammation or strain on the immune system

7. Fertility difficulties

• endometriosis is often only discovered when conception does not occur

Why does endometriosis often return?

• Endometriosis is very often associated with hormonal, metabolic, and inflammatory problems.
• For this reason, according to conventional medical protocols, surgery often treats only the symptoms without eliminating the underlying cause.
• This explains why many patients with endometriosis experience the return of symptoms years after surgery, or require multiple surgical procedures.
• The focus should therefore not be solely on removing the lesions, but also on addressing the hormonal background, digestion, inflammatory processes, and stress management, as these imbalances often occur together and may also contribute to fertility problems associated with endometriosis.
• Alongside Western medicine, a holistic approach can support you in gaining a more complete understanding of your current condition. They do not replace one another, but work together to complement each other.

The body is always communicating – we simply need to learn how to interpret its messages.

Endometriosis is not a “women’s complaint,” but a complex hormonal and inflammatory process that may affect the functioning of the entire body.

A holistic approach does not replace medical care; in the case of severe symptoms, it is always necessary to consult a medical specialist.