Period Related Illnesses
As we know there are so many period related illnesses out there and it seems like a new one pops up every other week. It’s hard to keep up with what we as women should be looking out for in terms of these period related illnesses. It’s important to listen to your body when it tells you something is wrong. If you're curious that your body is trying to tell you something, keep on reading! And remember… DON’T diagnose yourself before seeing your doctor. The best thing for you to do if you think you could have any of these illnesses is to schedule an appointment with your gynecologist and they will be able to help you.
Endometriosis
It feels like this period related illness is fairly new. Maybe that's because many women live with the SEVER pain this illness causes for so many years before they realize or decide that they can feel something is wrong with them. So what exactly is endometriosis? Well, basically this means that the endometrium lining of the inside of your uterus is growing on the outside of your uterus. This can cause extreme pain before, during, and sometimes even after your period is over (so all the time). But if you are ever worried that you could have this, just remember that there are three major symptoms to look for. According to SpeakEndo.com, watch out for the three P’s. Pain during your period, pain in between your periods, or even pain with intercourse. Some women can't even use a tampon without being in extreme pain, which is where a pad or (if you're trying to be more environmentally conscious) period panties come into play! Check out these ones that can hold up to 2.5 tampons worth of flow! If you experience all of these, it's time to speak up during your next gyno appointment.
PMDD
Also known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Essentially this means EXTREME PMS. Yup, you can have extreme PMS… awesome, right? Nope, not awesome. Not only do you feel the normal PMS symptoms (i.e. cramps, bloating, mood swings...etc) but you can experience them worse than everyone else. And on top of that, you can experience things like depression and anxiety. This illness can really be debilitating for some people. If you find that you are experiencing this extreme PMS along with some mental health issues, talk to your doctor ASAP to find out a good solution that works for you.
Menorrhagia
This is the medical term for heavy menstrual bleeding. Everyone thinks that they have a heavy flow but if it doesn't deter you from being able to do normal everyday activities, then you don't have menorrhagia. BUT if you find yourself not being able to enjoy yourself because you are bleeding so much it feels like a scene from The Shining, then you might want to talk to your doctor. Most women only lose about 5 tablespoons of blood but if you have menorrhagia, then you could lose over 10x more blood than that. Women who also experience this can experience anemia-like symptoms such as fatigue, tiredness, or even shortness of breath.
This post isn't to scare you. It’s to make you aware. Aware of what could happen to your body as time goes on. Aware that sometimes extreme pain is that way for a reason. If you think you could have any of these symptoms speak to your primary doctor or better yet a gynecologist. They will be able to point you in the right direction.
#Illness #periodrelatedillness #endometriosis #pmdd #PMS
