Endometriosis Awareness

ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS MONTH – MARCH By Abigail Sirrell

People all around the world are raising awareness for an extremely debilitating condition that affects 176 million women worldwide – endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic disease of the female reproductive system whereby the tissue that usually lines the inside of a woman’s uterus, grows elsewhere in the body outside of the uterus. It can instead grow on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel or bladder, or around the lining of the pelvis. Every month, this tissue responds to a woman’s menstrual cycle in the same way as the lining of the womb. The lining builds up and then breaks down, resulting in bleeding. However, the lining of the womb leaves a woman’s body as a period. This tissue, on the other hand, has no way of exiting the body, and so it becomes trapped. This can lead to cysts, or cause surrounding tissue to become irritated, which will eventually develop scar tissue and adhesions. Adhesions are fibrous bands that form between tissue and organs, in this case causing the female reproductive organs to stick together. Considering endometriosis is the second most common gynaecological condition in the UK, it receives very little profile and recognition, and numerous misconceptions surrounding it are still preventing women from getting the help and support they need. Research has shown that it can take patients on average over seven years to get an endometriosis diagnosis. One in ten women suffer from the condition, and the cause of it is unknown. There is no definite cure. I spoke to Nottingham Trent University student (name withheld), who was diagnosed with endometriosis last year.

Can you describe how endometriosis has affected your life?

It took me about seven years to be diagnosed - both the symptoms and the countless appointments with my doctor greatly affected my school life growing up. Most days I suffer from severe stomach pain, back pain, hot flushes and mood swings. Sometimes I struggle to stand up or even move and having very little energy can make it difficult for me to go to work or university. The only thing that somewhat helps me with the pain is a hot water bottle or hot bath, but even then, the pain is still very intense, and obviously I can’t go about my day-to-day life taking hot baths whenever I’m in too much pain to move. When I was diagnosed, I was told I wouldn’t know whether I would struggle with my fertility until I start trying to conceive, so this sense of the unknown around whether I will ever be able to have children leaves me feeling like I’m left in the dark, and it’s quite upsetting.

Why do you think endometriosis hardly gets spoken about and receives very little coverage as a chronic condition?

I think it gets very little coverage because only women can have it, so I personally don’t think it’s taken as seriously as some other conditions that a wider proportion of people suffer from. It’s also a very long process to become diagnosed. Hopefully in the future, more research can be undertaken into this condition to reduce the impact it has upon the lives of millions of women.

What do you wish people knew about this condition?

I wish people were more aware of the condition and the pain that comes with it. Women who suffer from it are still expected to go to work as usual, continue through education without disruption and carry on with every-day life like normal despite the pain. My endometriosis tends to be at its worst during my period, but I can’t just take a week off from work or university every month. I think if more people were aware of this debilitating condition, more could be done to understand and support women in the workplace or young girls at school suffering in silence. I also talked to my mother, who was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1997. I became aware of the condition after seeing at close hand her day-to-day struggles.

ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES & THEIR IMPORTANCE IN TODAY’S SOCIETY By Abigail Sirrell

Whereas traditional medicine tends to target a specific pain or health concern, alternative therapies also help to keep a person’s mental and spiritual aspects in balance to maintain good health and wellbeing. Also known as holistic medicine, this can range between anything from herbal teas to reiki, crystal healing or different forms of exercise. Alternative therapies should not be used instead of mainstream medicines but can be used alongside them. Setting some time aside to focus purely on yourself through self-healing practices like meditation or yoga is a great way to de-stress, boost your mood and improve your mental health, which is just as important as physical health.

When it comes to herbal teas, chamomile tea is a popular herbal remedy that has been proven to aid digestive issues and improve sleep quality. Ginger tea is known to be an effective remedy for nausea and menstrual pain, whilst lemongrass tea helps to detoxify the body, lowers blood pressure, and is great for skin and hair health. There are plenty of herbal teas to try, but prior research is essential to find out which ones are suitable for your body and what quantities are safe to consume.*** Reiki is an energy healing technique; reiki practitioners place their hands above the body to deliver a flow of energy, which is used to aid the balance of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual self. Reiki is used all over the world, even in hospitals, to complement other forms of health treatments, but can also be used to promote relaxation, or relieve stress, pain and tension. The energy channelled through reiki can be amplified by the use of different crystals with specific healing properties. Meditation is a calming practice that anyone can do; it quietens the mind and helps to manage depression and feelings of anxiety. A recent study where 153 adults used a mindfulness meditation app for two weeks concluded that these adults experienced reduced feelings of loneliness and had more positive social connections. To begin meditating, many people like to find a quiet, relaxed space, sit in a way that is comfortable to them with their eyes closed and focus on their breathing, following the sensation of breathing in and out. The key to meditation is paying attention to the body in the present moment. If the mind wanders – which it naturally will - simply bring your attention back to the feelings and sensations of the body. Doing this for even five minutes a day will help to ground and connect yourself to your body and mind. Yoga is a practice that focuses on exercise, strength and breathing, and is known to promote both physical and mental wellbeing. Practising yoga daily delays the ageing process and can increase your lifespan. Additionally, a study found that regular yoga practice lowered participants’ total cholesterol by 23%, whilst another study found that just three months of regular yoga practice can lower systolic blood pressure by 26 points. The Mountain pose, Child’s pose, Downwardfacing Dog and Warrior poses are amongst the easiest for beginners to get started with. Social media is currently fuelling the rise in popularity of alternative treatments. TikTok trends in particular often focus upon the importance of self-care and the preservation of mental health. YouTube offers an extensive range of helpful videos, covering guided yoga tutorials, live meditation sessions and real, personal experiences of different alternative therapies. Why not meet with friends and attend a local group fitness class, or take five minutes out of your day to meditate and reflect? ***When considering the use of herbal supplements or teas, seek the advice of your doctor or healthcare provider. If you have any medical conditions, allergies, are pregnant, or if you use any medicine, herbal teas may not be suitable for you. Alternative therapies can help maintain a person’s mental and spiritual health. This can include anything from herbal teas to reiki, crystal healing or different forms of exercise. Alternative therapies should not be used instead of mainstream medicines but can be used alongside them for good health. Yoga is a practice that focuses on exercise, strength and breathing, and is known to promote both physical and mental wellbeing. A study found that regular yoga practice lowered participants’ total cholesterol by 23% and can lower systolic blood pressure by 26 points. The key to meditation is paying attention to the body in the present moment.