The truth about extrapelvian endometriosis

If you thought endometriosis was strictly a problem for the pelvic area, think again. There is another less known type that rewrites the rules, extrapelvical endometriosis. This condition acts as a rogue agent, causing pain in places to which you do not expect – from lungs to the skin and even to the nervous system. So what happens when endometriosis decides to leave its usual territory and invade other parts of the body? Let’s take a closer look.

Ventilation of biology

Imagine a woman who spits blood every month, and no one connects the points between her pulmonary symptoms and her menstrual cycle. Or imagine sciatica pain that refuses to disappear, although doctors discover endometrial type tissues wrapped around the nerve. These scenarios resemble torsions of the plot in a medical drama, but they are the lived reality of people with extrapelvical endometriosis. It is a condition that is not only painful; It is also insulating, confusing and often rejected.

So, how do endometrial type tissues end up in places where he does not have the activity? Scientists do not have all the answers, but the theories exist.

Some suggest that endometrial cells travel through lymphatic or circulatory systems. Others believe that this is the result of surgical scars or retrograde menstruation, when the menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes, distributing the thugs cells on remote sites.

Once in these new locations, this fabric acts as if it were still in the uterus; It accumulates, decomposes and bleeds with each cycle. However, there is no easy way for blood to escape, leading to inflammation, scars and sometimes to the formation of painful cysts or nodules.

Extrapelvian endometriosis and the body

Extrapelvic endometriosis does not respect the rules. Depending on where he decides to settle down, symptoms may vary considerably. Doctors classify the condition in different types as a function of specific organs or affected body systems. Let’s take a closer look at how this condition is manifested and the complications it can cause. According to Healthline, here is how it is classified:

Intestinal endometriosis

The intestines are one of the most common sites for extrapelvian endometriosis. Endometrial type fabric develops on the intestines, causing gastrointestinal symptoms that often worsen during menstruation.

Symptoms include:

• Abdominal or cramp.
• Bloating, sometimes severe.
• Rectal bleeding.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Pain or tension with stool.

Urinary tract endometriosis (UTE)

This target type of the parts of the urinary system, such as bladder or kidneys. It is often poorly diagnosed due to symptoms that overlap with urinary tract infections (urinary tract infections).

Symptoms may include:

• Painful urination.
• Blood in the urine.
• Frequent urges to urinate.
• Urinary incontinence.
• Pain of the side, potentially radiant at the back.

Thoracic endometriosis

Thoracic endometriosis affects the thoracic cavity, including lungs, and is notoriously difficult to diagnose due to its rare nature.

Symptoms include:

• Thoracic pain that passes around menstruation.
• Cough or cough blood.
• Shortness of breath.
• Rare cases of collapsed lung.

Other less common forms of extrapelvian endometriosis can manifest itself in unexpected and unusual areas of the body. Skin endometriosis, for example, occurs when the endometrial type fabric develops on or near surgical scars. This often leads to lumps or painful lesions that can ignite during menstruation.

Neurological endometriosis, on the other hand, implies the nerve pathways. It can cause debilitating symptoms such as radiant pain, serious headaches or sciatic sensations that interfere with daily life.

Although rare, these types highlight the unpredictable nature of extrapelvian endometriosis and its potential to affect almost any part of the body.

Consciousness and our community

Imagine facing chronic pain for years, visiting the doctor after the doctor, and still not get the answers you need. For many black women with endometriosis, it is reality. The diagnosis can take years, with often brushed or poorly diagnosed symptoms such as unrelated stress, anxiety or health problems.

Now, add extrapelvistic endometriosis to the mixture, the pain that goes beyond the basin to areas such as chest, nerves or even skin. The confusion and dismissal of these symptoms can give the impression that no one really listens or sees the complete image.

Studies have shown that black women are only about half of the slightest diagnosis of endometriosis compared to white women. It is a huge gap, pulled through racial biases in health care and the lack of understanding of the condition in general. In addition to this, black women are more likely to report chronic pain, including things like migraines, back pain and nervous pain, but, as the national caucus and the black aging center points out, their pain is often minimal or ignored. Harmful stereotypes, such as belief that black women have higher pain tolerance or their pain is not “serious enough”, always linger and continue to influence the quality of the care that our community obtains.

And when you live with something like extrapelvical endometriosis, the stakes are higher. For many black women, it’s not just a health problem; This can be a deeply personal and insulating experience. Obtaining appropriate care means defying the system and decomposing these barriers so that each woman feels heard, respected and sustained.

Intuition and plea

Understanding extrapelvistic endometriosis is not only a question of consciousness; It’s about improving lives. It is a question of trusting that your pain is valid, knowing that it is enough to seek answers and to feel empowered to put pressure for the care that you deserve. It is a question of finding peace in your health course, asking these persistent questions and calming the anxiety of health that many of us know too well.

For black women in particular, it is a call to break harmful stigmata and demand the fair care that has been expected for a long time. It all starts by knowing your body, trusting you and taking this first step. If something is wrong, why not make sure that is not the case?

In honor of the month of endometriosis – and every month – you deposit first and your health. Because at the end of the day, nothing matters more than you.