is endometriosis common with girls and adults dx with autism

Post Reply New Topic

I have been dx with endometriosis wondering is this common with females dx with autism. I know that some foods can cause problems for autistic's. I have always had problems with bowels, stomach and back pain.

Endometriosis goes undx for a number of years girls and adults can have the condition,.

Endometriosis is a condition in which small pieces of endometrium (that is, the lining of the uterus) are found in locations outside the uterus. It is a long term condition and the length of time to diagnosis varies between countries. In the UK the diagnostic delay is estimated to be from six to seven years. This delay occurs mainly in general practice. ( Primary Care ) Endometriosis is present in 70% of adolescents and young women with pelvic pain that does not respond to oral contraceptives or anti-inflammatory medications. However, it is rarely considered as a possible diagnosis in adolescents. It is wrongly assumed that endometriosis needs many years to develop after the start of menstrual periods and that early symptoms, in particular pain, may be normal at this age. (Candiani M et al, 2010)

Symptoms

Endometriosis may be suspected with some of the following symptoms:

Dysmenorrhoea (painful periods)
Pelvic pain (which may not be during a period)
Dyspareunia (painful intercourse/sex)
Lower back pain
Ovulation pain
Painful bowel movements
Heavy bleeding
Persistent fatigue

Endometriosis can have different forms ( growths, nodules ( an area of hard tissue ) and/or cysts ) that can affect pain. Some women have pelvic pain which can be caused by pressure from an endometrioma ( endometriotic chocolate cyst ) or adhesions ( fibrous bands that form between tissue and organs ) (Chapron et al 2012). Pain can be triggered by certain positions such as sitting and specific movements or activities. Nodules can occur in the Pouch of Douglas ( an area between the rectum and the back of the uterus ) uterosacral ligaments or rectovaginal septum ( a thin structure separating the vagina from the rectum ). These may cause excrutiating pain. They may be overlooked. Symptoms linked with bowel and bladder endometriosis are usually not well recognized. These may be diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or bladder pain syndrome (BPS/IC). Bowel symptoms may include abdominal pain and spasms, painful bowel movements, constipation, loose stools, nausea and vomiting. Bladder symptoms include pain in the bladder region, frequent urination, urgency and burning when urinating.
The range and severity of symptoms often increase as the disease progresses, although they do not progress in all patients.

Endometriosis may especially be suspected if the symptoms are:

Not helped by taking painkillers such as paracetamol,not helped by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as mefanamic acid
Not helped by taking the oral contraceptive pill
So painful that you struggle to carry out your normal activities
Occurring at the same time every month
Getting worse with time

There is a lot of info on the internet I think I have posted enough info.
_________________
A mother/person looking for understanding!
Back to top

Wrong Planet Autism Forum Index -> Women's Discussion 0 0 New

I used to get bad period pains before I went on the pill, but I thought that was normal because other girls at school used to get them aswell, and some even used to be sick with the pain. I've even read somewhere that younger women experience more severe pains than older women. I have been on the pill for almost 3 years now and it has helped calm down the pains an awful lot and has also regulated my periods, so now they don't interfere with my life any more, I can now do normal everyday things without being affected by my period (except for going swimming, but I don't do that usually anyway).

Would endometriosis affect the age where we start our periods then, like at an extremely late age, because I started mine at the average age, which was 13.

Although my periods were painful, they were never what I would call heavy. Most other women experienced intense bleeding, where they literally had to change their towel after half an hour, but I never had to do that. On my heaviest, I only had to change around 3-4 times a day. I was always generally quite light (not light enough to worry about).

I do sometimes have cramps in my lower back, usually during a period or when it's about to start or finish, and occasionally when I'm not on a period, but I thought that was normal too, since I have asked other people and they have said that they get that aswell to the point where they can't breathe, and they said it's due to women's hormones.

Girls from when they get their periods can been given the dx. Certain foods can cause inflammation this is what causes the pelvic pain and stomach pains also. You have to go on a diet that excludes wheat, gluten, red meat, sugary foods, egg and fatty oils etc.

Periods that are extremely painful that would indicate a problem my whole body at the moment is inflammed all my muscles I have it severe. I do feel I had endo for many years as I was dx with IBT and gastritis which this dx also seem common with autism.

Read up about it I never heard of it till I got dx thanks for you info.

I have endometriosis, although these days it's well under control. I suffered pain for years, from my very first period at 12 until my late 20s, before it was finally diagnosed. It was classed as moderate in severity, but I had no adhesions or cysts, just little bits all over. The most painful areas were around my right ovary and the parts that I sit on. There have been several occasions when I thought I may have appendicitis (because of the location and severity of the pain). The area you speak about between the rectum and vagina has been severely affected (and overlooked at laparoscopy) and I can confirm that the pain there is indeed excrutiating. I had been told I had IBS, although I could relate the bowel pain to my cycle. I found a candida style diet to be very helpful, but it can be hard to maintain.

Since having my daughter I've had very little pain. But, my periods became very heavy a few years ago and my cycle went haywire. They had always been the heavy end of normal, but manageable. They became so heavy that I couldn't leave the house for 2 days each month, for fear of flooding. They had never been very regular before, but I was now getting cycles of 19 to 50 days. I've been taking agnus castus for my cycle and turmeric for the heavy bleeding. Both have worked wonders.

BTW No diagnosis of ASD here, just suspected and/or inattentive ADHD.

I have endo. It is hell. It hurts all the way up into my chest Fortunately it seems to be getting better as i get older. I've also change up my diet, that may have helped. The best thing is BC pills, but I gain weight on them.

I have no idea if it's common for females on the spectrum but I do know I have/had it.

I'm 44 and had surgery a few months ago to remove ovarian cysts. The doctor said I had LOTS of endometriosis. BUT. I didn't have the main symptoms. I didn't have major pain during periods and I didn't have a heavy period. What I did have were pains (usually minor and very brief) all over my abdominal and lower area as well as lower back pain. And I still have pains but if they're related or something else...

I hurt so much I thought I had endo, but ultrasound after ultrasound failed to find anything. Then I hear pretty much the only way to find out is for them to cut me open and poke around and have a look.

I don't think I have it. Never had period cramps in my life. I think it's more related to hormone imbalance.

Most autistic people have some digestive trouble, though. I suppose food allergies and intolerance could set off more problems.

It's true that an ultrasound is unlikely to show anything, unless you have large cysts. The only way to confirm endo is by laparoscopy. BTW You're not actually cut open. It's a keyhole investigation, so there are couple of small incisions. It's done under general anaesthetic and you can be uncomfortable for a few days, but it's nothing too major.