One of the most frequent diseases in women of childbearing age is endometriosis: according to estimates, at least 3 million suffer from it in Italy alone, about 10-15%.

Among women who have difficulty conceiving or who suffer from infertility, this percentage rises by 30-50%. Most women with this disease are between 25 and 35 years old, although it is not uncommon for it to appear at an even earlier age. It tends to regress, until it disappears spontaneously, with the entry into menopause. And even during pregnancy, symptoms are relieved, even if the pregnant state does not constitute a cure for the disease.

The symptoms of endometriosis can be generic, making it difficult to diagnose the disease, and creating delays in the most suitable treatment. Among these, the most common are:

– dysmenorrhea: pelvic pain during the menstrual cycle,

– dyspareunia: pain during sexual intercourse,

– chronic pelvic pain,

– heavy menstruation,

– blood loss between one flow and another,

– constipation,

– diarrhea,

– difficulty getting pregnant.

Determining the presence of ovarian endometriosis may not be immediate, because these symptoms resemble those of irritable bowel syndrome or other diseases.

The delay in diagnosis can also be the consequence of an asymptomatic endometriosis, that is, one that does not have associated symptoms, and which is discovered only following investigations for other ongoing problems.

Today we tend to believe that the pains of the menstrual cycle are normal, in reality they are not: the pains that appear close to or during the period are the indicator of a problem that affects the body. The menstrual cycle, in fact, is a phase in a woman’s life, not a disease. If you suffer from one or more symptoms, do not underestimate them and do not resort to over-the-counter pain relievers, which do not resolve; rather speak to your doctor without fear. If neglected, in fact, endometriosis has serious consequences, not least female infertility.