As a young lady, a certain Madam Lydia Quaye, the only daughter in a staunch religious family, was regularly bed-ridden and prayed for. Her mother would pass on before Lydia had her menarche at 12 years old. A menarche is the very first menstruation in a young girl’s life. Her loved ones believed Lydia exaggerated whenever she complained of T her menstrual cramps and discomfort. For her it was excruciating menstrual pains. It was not until after marriage at 25 that Lydia found the reason for her irregular and painful periods which had ultimately led to her frequent visits to the hospital.
With Lydia being unable to conceive nor carry a pregnancy through term, it was no longer about menstrual cramps and discomfort. Her husband tried all they could with religious directives until they eventually sought medical advice. After a series of tests and medical exams, it was discovered that Lydia suffered from Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Upon receiving adequate medical assistance, Lydia was finally able to have her children to hold.
Like Lydia, many women of childbearing ages (between 12 to 52 years) endure years of painful, heavy bleeding on the assumption that it is a normal menstrual symptom. According to Women’s Health Concern, a staggering 80% of women would experience some type of menstrual discomfort at certain stages in their lifetime. In about 5% to 10% of this number, the pain is severe and could be fatal. In another study conducted out of 200 students in the School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast (UCC) Ghana, 74% of them (148 women) reportedly experienced unbearable menstrual pain. Nonetheless, it is imperative to know that not all pain, irregularity and discomfort around menstrual period are just because of an impending flow, there could be more to the dreadful experience. As further studies show, a myriad of conditions could be the reason for the above problems associated with the menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
This article focuses on two common but unpopular conditions known as Endometriosis and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which could contribute to irregularity, excessive pain, and heavy blood flow during that time of the month. In some instances, PCOS could result in the absence of menstruation altogether. Due to the similar nature of Endometriosis to PCOS and vice versa, their symptoms often appear to be very closely related making it easy to confuse the two. This could result in misdiagnosis, especially when one is self-diagnosing. However, establishing a fine line between them, as well as the right time to seek medical attention if or when necessary, is how to win.
What Makes Endometriosis and PCOS Similar?
Both conditions share a few similarities such as:
- causing lower abdominal pain or cramping,
- excessive blood flow during menstruation
- causing difficulty with conceiving.
- having an unknown cause
- occurring in about 10% of women worldwide
Endometriosis
Endometriosis happens when the tissue that lines the inside of your uterus or womb, known as endometrium, is found growing elsewhere in the body such as the fallopian tube, ovaries or outside of the uterus. According to an article from the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, it is usually diagnosed in about 20% to 90% of women who experience chronic pelvic pain or infertility issues. It is caused by excessive production of Estradiol, which is a hormone in your body.
Symptoms Of Endometriosis
Symptoms commonly associated with endometriosis include:
- bleeding between your periods,
- having excessive pelvic pain before and during your periods,
- experiencing pain during and after sex,
- pain during urination or bowel movements
- frequent fatigue and low energy
- infertility
Foods To Avoid with Endometriosis
- Gluten
- Dairy products such as milk from goat and sheep
- Alcoholic beverages
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is also a chronic disease that can lead to pain and discomfort during menstruation and as well cause menstruation and ovulation to cease. It occurs when there is an instability in the regulation of your body’s reproductive hormones, especially when there is excessive production of androgens by the ovaries. It is primarily a hormonal disorder in women.
Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Some characteristics typically associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome are:
- causes growth of hair in areas where men typically grow hair. For example: Chin and chest.
- infertility
- excessive menstrual pain
- pelvic pain
- no or irregular periods
- no or unpredictable ovulation
- presence of polycystic ovaries during an ultrasound scan on one or both ovaries.
PLEASE NOTE: It is also possible to have PCOS without cysts on the ovaries...
Foods To Avoid with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Soy milk or Soy products
- Seed oils such as vegetable oil, sunflower oil, canola oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, safflower oil, amongst others
- Processed foods like junk food, toffees, canned foods like tuna and sardines, biscuits, cornflakes, etc.
- Coffee
What Then, Do I Eat To Reduce Menstrual Cramps and Discomfort?
To greatly reduce the troubling side effects of Endometriosis and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) over time, lean towards more leafy vegetables and oils such as:
- Kontomire
- Avocado pear
- Carrots
- Lettuce and Cabbage
- Extra virgin oil and Peanut butter
- Lemon and Lime, amongst other healthy local options.
What To Keep in Mind
Visit your doctor to seek medical attention when you experience some or all the symptoms mentioned above. Remember that early detection is key to combating endometrial and PCOS issues. With food and other lifestyle choices, endeavor to play it safe by sticking to all kinds of originally organic foods and even better, seeking the services of a certified nutritionist or dietician is your best bet. Till next time!
Author: Faith Akor Ene
Reference
- Women’s Health Concern | 20-WHC-FACTSHEET-Period-Pain-NOV2022-B
PDF| www.womens-health-concern.org
- MDPI | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Endometriosis as Reasons for Women’s Admission to Outpatient Specialist Care in Poland—A Retrospective Analysis | https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/1442
- Progyny | https://progyny.com/education/female-infertility/what-do-you-eat-if-you-have-pcos-or-endo-find-out/
- Front. Endocrinol., 22 June 2022 | Sec. Reproduction | Volume 13 – 2022| https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2022.888460
- National Library of Medicine [NLM] | PubMed Central [PMC] | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9361725/
- NLM | African Health Sciences | https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7040311/