Endometriosis & Adenomyosis
Your uterus (womb) is lined with tissue called the endometrium. Each month, when you have your period, this layer is shed, causing normal vaginal bleeding that is often mildly painful. However, sometimes, tissue similar to this lining grows in other places. These conditions are known as endometriosis and adenomyosis.
- Endo: Endometriosis - is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other parts of the body, outside of the uterus.
- Adeno: Adenomyosis - is where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is present in the muscular wall of the uterus.
In both conditions, this extra endometrial tissue also bleeds with menstruation, which can cause pain.
You may be interested to know that the severity of your pain doesn’t always correlate with the severity or extent of your endometriosis. Some people with endometrosis have no symptoms, while others have pain with every period. Others live with constant pain.
If you suffer from endometriosis or adenomyosis, you are far from alone. Endometriosis is incredibly common. It’s estimated that 14% of females and those assigned female at birth live with endometriosis. And studies suggest that 20% have adenomyosis.
Sadly, those who suffer from endometrosis and adenomyosis can do so for years. Getting a diagnosis can take a long time – on average, 6.5 years. Left untreated, these conditions can be both physically and emotionally debilitating, impacting almost every aspect of your life – work, study, exercise and social activities and sometimes your fertility. You might be out of action for three days or three weeks every month. You might find it hard to concentrate, have to cancel plans and be unable to enjoy intimacy.
Treatment is available.
The good news is that endometriosis and adenomyosis can be treated, and the associated pain reduced for most people experiencing these conditions. So there’s no need to suffer in silence. Life can get better. At Pelvic Health Matters, our team of postgraduate-qualified pelvic health physiotherapists can work alongside your doctors as part of your healthcare team to give you the help and support you need.
Endometriosis and adenomyosis are extremely common, with people often suffering for years before finding a diagnosis. Fortunately, though, our pelvic health physiotherapists can help reduce the pain associated with these conditions successfully.
Common signs & symptoms of endometriosis & adenomyosis
Everyone experiences pain differently, but if you suffer from endometriosis or adenomyosis, some of the following are probably familiar to you:
- Severe period pain that interferes with your daily life
- Having to take time off study/work
- Cancelling social plans
- Fatigue, bloating and low mood
- Pain during ovulation
- Pain during or after sex
- Pain in your pelvis, low back or legs
- Pain or difficulty emptying your bowel
- Pain or difficulty emptying your bladder
- Going to the toilet frequently or finding it hard to hold on
- Heavy or irregular bleeding
- Avoiding exercise or things you enjoy due to pain
Risk factors & causes of endometriosis & adenomyosis (and associated pain)
The exact cause of these conditions and the pain is unknown, but some possible causes and risk factors include:
- Genetic factors – having one or more relatives with endometriosis
- Retrograde menstruation – blood flowing back through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis rather than out of your body
- Immune factors
- Starting your period at an early age
- High levels of oestrogen
- Low body weight
- Heavy periods that last longer than 7 days
- A sensitised nervous system
- Tense pelvic floor muscles
- Anxiety/stress and low mood
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Low back pain
- Overuse of core muscles
- Painful bladder syndrome or recurrent urinary tract infections
- Vaginismus or vulvodynia
Our Proven Pathway for Treating Endometriosis & Adenomyosis Associated Pelvic Pain
Discover what matters
You’re assessed as a whole person
We begin by taking the time to learn all about you – as a whole person, not just a patient. So, your postgraduate qualified pelvic health physiotherapist will gather the following information:
- QUESTIONNAIRE: You’ll complete a pelvic health questionnaire online before your first visit. This helps us understand your history, current health concerns and what matters to you.
- 1-on-1 CONSULTATION: Here, we’ll take the time to learn about you and your pelvic pain. We believe a holistic approach enables us to understand how your specific physical, emotional and lifestyle factors influence your pelvic health.
- THOROUGH ASSESSMENT: This includes a back, pelvic and hip joints and muscle assessment, abdominal and pelvic floor examination, bladder diary, bowel diary and questionnaires to understand thoughts, feelings and environment.
- CONNECTING THE DOTS: Now that we’ve discovered so much about you, we’ll make sense of your endo and adeno pelvic pain. For example, you might find that stress and worry about periods can contribute to your pelvic pain. Or perhaps tension in your abdominal and pelvic floor muscles is also contributing to your pain.
- SET GOALS: We’ll help you set meaningful pelvic health goals such as:
- Not have to miss uni and work when I have my period
- Say yes to drinks with friends, and actually be able to go
- Enjoy pain-free sex
Restore what matters
You’ll have a personalised pelvic health plan.
Step 2 is where we get to work. Together, we’ll choose the most effective, research-proven treatment options that fit your lifestyle. You’ll gain a clear understanding of pain science (how your nervous system and body work together), what’s not working as well as it should, and what you can do to reduce pain.
Next, you’ll learn helpful ways to break the pain cycle, using strategies to calm your nerves, relax your muscles, and strengthen the mind-body connection. This might include mindfulness, breathing exercises or other calming practices.
We’ll also start Pelvic Floor Muscle Training. You’ll learn valuable new skills and connect with hidden muscles that you may not have realised you've had. We’ll create an individualised program based on your needs, focusing on relaxation, recovery and improving libido and arousal.
Plus, we’ll give you useful resources and tools to help you improve your condition. You’ll be armed with all the things!
ABOUT YOUR APPOINTMENTS: Together, we’ll work out how often we should see each other. We’ll agree on what works best for you, your commitments and your finances.
Enjoy what matters
You’ll be living your best life.
The third step is ensuring you achieve all the meaningful goals you set at the start of your time with us. Additionally, you might discover that you can embrace new possibilities you hadn’t even considered, such as taking a promotion at work or starting a family. With your newfound skills, you’ll be able to manage your pain – without always running back for appointments.
Sometimes, though, life’s swings and roundabouts can throw things off track, and you might find yourself needing a little reset. Perhaps you’ll encounter a stressful life event. Or maybe an illness can make managing pain just that bit more difficult. No matter what’s going on, just know – we’re always here for you, ready to help whenever you need it.
Read about Anna 34 yrs, Brinda 27 yrs, Ava 16 yrs, Jorja 23 yrs
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Pelvic Health Matters
New name.
Same exceptional care.
Formerly known as Women’s & Men’s Health Physiotherapy, our new name reflects both what we believe in and what we do. We have an unwavering belief that pelvic health matters for everyone, at every stage of life.
Same phone number: 03 8823 8300
New email: physio@pelvichealth.com.au