What Should You Know About Endometriosis?

The uterus is lined with three tissue layers. The inner most layer is called endometrium and it prepares the uterus for possible pregnancy, during monthly ovarian cycles. If pregnancy does not occur, the endometrium sheds off and the tissue is sloughed away along with the menstrual blood.

Endometriosis is a diseased condition in which endometrial tissues grows on other organs such as fallopian tubes, ovaries, rectum and bladder. Women with endometriosis experiences severe pain, especially during sex and monthly menstrual cycles. Other common symptoms reported by such women are:

• Painful Urination
• Pain during bowel movements and sex
• Recurrent episodes of frank bleeding or spotting other than periods

Besides these common symptoms, nausea, diarrhea and constipation are also experienced.

Sadly there is no proper cure or treatment for endometriosis. However, it can be managed with pain killers, surgeries or hormonal therapies like birth control pills; depending upon the affected organ and its severity. It is imperative to mention that endometriosis is a fairly common issue that affects approximately 170 million females throughout the world.

How Endometriosis Affects A Woman’s Sexual Life?

Sexual intercourse is usually painful for women living with endometriosis. The nature, severity and intensity of pain depends upon the affected organ/s. In some women pain can be severe while in other women there may be no symptoms or complaints. Similarly, few women may experience pain throughout the sexual act whereas other women will feel pain only during deep penetration. In fact some females feel pain for days after having sex, which can greatly compromise the quality of their sex life.

For example, the thought of having a painful sex makes a woman stressed and she may start avoiding it. This can eventually takes a toll on her emotional health and she may feel like a failure as she is not able to please her partner. On the other hand, this can make her partner think that she is not sexually attracted towards him anymore and may destroy their relationship. Ultimately, intimate relation also gets affected as both will distant themselves from each other.

How Can You Achieve Comfortable Sex With Endometriosis?

1. Stay Relax

It is not easy to relax when you are anticipating a painful sexual encounter. But, we should understand that stress and anxiety can only worsen the things. Try to suppress your stress levels and instead of thinking about the pain that you will experience, think about the intimate connection you have with your partner and all the pleasure you will get with him.

2. Talk To Him

It is always a good idea to talk about your problems with your partner instead of hiding it. Tell him in detail about endometriosis and how does it makes sexual intercourse painful for you. Discuss other sexual activities or positions that are less painful. If you think a sex therapist and proper counseling can help you; don’t hesitate to go for professional help.

3. Plan It!

As mentioned before, women feels pain during certain time of ovarian cycle. Note that time or days when pain is at its peak and avoid sexual encounter during that time. Plan sex or romantic date on days when pain is little less. Though, it does sound quite unromantic or forceful sex but it will be better than sudden interruption in sexual act due to pain.

4. Experiment

Your pain can be controlled with several factors such as penetration depth, forceful pushing, weight of partner and position of sexual activity. Usually missionary position heightens the pain, whereas other positions like doggy style or spooning can reduce the discomfort. Moreover, besides vaginal sex there are other ways to get pleasure which you and your partner should explore such as, kissing, cuddling, touching, oral sex, etc.

With mutual understanding between couple and adjustability one can cope up with endometriosis and its pain and can enjoy their sex life.

References

1. Fritzer, N., Haas, D., Oppelt, P., Hornung, D., Wölfler, M., Ulrich, U., ... & Hudelist, G. (2013). More than just bad sex: sexual dysfunction and distress in patients with endometriosis. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 169(2), 392-396.

2. Jia, S. Z., Leng, J. H., Sun, P. R., & Lang, J. H. (2013). Prevalence and associated factors of female sexual dysfunction in women with endometriosis. Obstetrics & Gynecology, 121(3), 601-606.

3. Van den Broeck, U., Meuleman, C., Tomassetti, C., D'Hoore, A., Wolthuis, A., Van Cleynenbreugel, B., ... & D'Hooghe, T. (2013). Effect of laparoscopic surgery for moderate and severe endometriosis on depression, relationship satisfaction and sexual functioning: comparison of patients with and without bowel resection. Human Reproduction, 28(9), 2389-2397.