5 Early Symptoms of Endometriosis and Sharing My Successful Pregnancy Experience After Treatment!

I had endometriosis surgery 15 years ago and have been managing it ever since.

The menstrual cramps worsened, and I developed pelvic pain, making the pain severe enough to interfere with my daily life.

To make matters worse, after getting married, I also suffered from infertility and endured a lot of emotional hardship.

I went to the hospital after a difficult time and was diagnosed with endometriosis.

Many people may be unfamiliar with the term endometriosis.

I will write down everything I know.

 

What is endometriosis?

 

It refers to the proliferation of glandular tissue and stroma of the endometrium attaching to tissues in areas other than the uterus.

 

 

5 Major Symptoms of Endometriosis

 

1️⃣ Occurrence of menstrual pain and abnormalities during menstruation

If you have ovarian cysts and endometriosis, the pain can become very severe before and after your period.

It is characterized by being much more intense and lasting longer than typical menstrual cramps.

It feels like something is squeezing inside my body.

There are also unusual symptoms such as clotted menstrual blood, black blood, and increased menstrual flow.

 

2️⃣ Chronic Pelvic Pain

Persistent pain in the pelvic area even outside of menstrual periods.

This pain is not constant; it suddenly worsens or diminishes.

Pain is felt deep inside the pelvis, and occasionally the pain spreads to the lower back and hips.

 

3️⃣ Sexual intercourse communication

You may experience pain during or after the relationship.

The burden of sexual activity increases due to pain.

 

4️⃣ Bowel movement container and urinary pain

If you have ovarian cysts and endometriosis, you may experience pain during bowel movements.

When having a bowel movement, lower abdominal pain occurs, and in severe cases, constipation or diarrhea repeats.

Of course, pain can occur when urinating, and there may also be situations where you want to urinate more frequently.

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5️⃣ Infertility

This condition affects the fallopian tubes, making pregnancy more difficult.

Endometrial tissue growing in the fallopian tube can impair ovarian function.

Endometriosis or ovulation interference can block the fallopian tubes, making it difficult for the egg to move to the uterus.

I also went through a very difficult time facing the long wall of infertility.

🟣 Endometriosis surgery process

 

Preliminary symptoms: Severe menstrual cramps since middle and high school, to the point where I couldn't go to school when it was very painful (both back pain and abdominal pain are severe). I had regular periods once a month, but during menstruation, I passed large clots and the amount of bleeding increased. Black blood or discharge was observed. After marriage, I experienced infertility for three years and couldn't conceive. I woke up 2-3 times a week with unexplained abdominal pain that caused cold sweats in the early morning. The pain lasted about 10 minutes and then returned to normal, leading to visits to the obstetrics and gynecology clinic.

✅ Diagnosis: Endometriosis (left side has three nodules fused together measuring 11cm, right side approximately 5cm), also noted to have adhesions with the intestine.
Proceed with 3-port (three holes in the abdomen) laparoscopic surgery

 

✅ Surgery hospital and responsible doctor: Daegu Women's Medipark / Director Yoo Jun-kyu

It is a hospital in Daegu famous for obstetrics and gynecology, pregnancy and childbirth, as well as known for infertility treatments, hysterectomy, and endometriosis surgery.

 

✅Hospitalized in a shared room for about a week

The surgery lasted approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours. The surgery was performed at Women’s Medipark. General anesthesia was administered, and upon waking, there was abdominal pain and chills.

On the first day of surgery, I experienced pain and received a pain relief injection, and after about a day, I felt better. There can be side effects from the pain relief injection such as dizziness and headaches, and I experienced some of those symptoms, but they were tolerable.

One day after surgery, the urinary catheter was removed (cannot leave the bed until removal) // The urine bag was removed on the 4th day after surgery

Removing the urinary catheter was not painful, but there was slight pain when removing the urine bag.

From the 2nd to 3rd day after surgery, there is gas filling the body, so a gas bag is used. From the second day after surgery, I walk very diligently along the hospital corridor. While time is the remedy for releasing the gas, walking diligently is recommended!

On the 2nd and 3rd day after surgery, there was sudden abnormal bleeding. Although it stopped quickly after 1 to 2 days, symptoms vary from person to person, so be sure to bring sanitary pads.

 

 

 

🟡 Postoperative treatment for endometriosis

 

Endometriosis responds to changes in female hormones within the body according to the menstrual cycle, leading to proliferation; therefore, treatment requires stopping menstruation.

I received hormone injections that create a state similar to menopause, and I went to Women Medical Park Hospital once a month for the injections. It was a hormone injection that artificially suppresses female hormones, but it wasn't painful or uncomfortable.

After the first hormone injection, I occasionally experienced hot flashes, but fortunately, there were no clear menopausal symptoms.

 

 

 

Pregnancy after endometriosis treatment

 

The reason for infertility was endometriosis, and I underwent surgery along with hormone therapy.

They said that you need to go through a process of creating a temporary menopausal state to restore the uterus.

Since I wanted to get pregnant, the doctor advised me to undergo hormone therapy for six months after surgery and then try to conceive immediately. He encouraged me by saying that if I get pregnant, I won't have periods, which reduces the recurrence rate of endometriosis.

I received this hormone injection for six months and had my period once.

I scheduled my ovulation day at Medipark Hospital after my period ended and I had surgery.

Could it be that my uterus has become clean? A miracle has arrived.

I, who couldn't get pregnant easily, successfully became pregnant right away.

After a long period of infertility, undergoing endometriosis surgery, completing hormone therapy, and finally successfully conceiving, it's such a relief, isn't it?

 

 

🟣 Lifestyle habits and management methods to prevent endometriosis

 

✅Regular exercise

I really disliked exercising.

I have been keeping my promise with her for 15 years, walking over 10,000 steps a day after endometriosis surgery.

I am also walking, doing yoga, and Zumba.

Regular exercise greatly helps blood circulation.

 

✅Healthy food intake

Reducing body inflammation through vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids

You can reduce various diseases.

I stay away from processed foods and instant foods, and I always pay attention when eating.

 

Reduce caffeine and alcohol intake

Drinking a lot of coffee and alcohol can disrupt hormones.

You can prevent endometriosis by reducing these habits.

 

Please keep the uterus warm.

If the uterus is cold, endometriosis may recur.

I make a pillow with red beans, microwave it for about 2 minutes, and use it to massage my lower abdomen every day.

Please drink lukewarm water rather than cold water and frequently enjoy warm tea.

 

Stress management

When the body becomes tired and stress accumulates, hormones become unstable.

You should find ways to manage your own stress so that you can regain a peaceful mind.

 

✅ Regular gynecological examinations

Endometriosis has a high recurrence rate, so you should always have regular gynecological check-ups.

 

 

 

It has been 15 years since I had surgery for endometriosis.

Because it was so painful, I still remember it vividly.

After undergoing endometriosis surgery and completing hormone therapy, I passed through a long tunnel of infertility and also met my baby angel.

I am finally free from the unbearable menstrual cramps and pelvic pain.

I am still consistently walking, paying attention to my diet, and managing my health.

Since it is not a complete cure and the recurrence rate is high during menstruation, I make sure to have regular gynecological examinations.

So far, I have been consistently exercising, taking supplements, and paying attention to my eating habits, so there have been no recurrences, and my uterine condition is good.

The adhered area has also been well treated.

Knowing the enemy means victory in all battles, right?

Let's conquer endometriosis!!

Everyone, please don't get sick and have a joyful day~