'I have endometriosis - I made mistake ignoring symptom that's worse in summer'

A woman living with endometriosis has spoken out about an unusual symptom of her disorder that gets worse in the summer. is a condition where cells akin to the womb lining develop in other body areas and impacts around one out of every ten in the UK, ranking it as the second most frequent gynaecological issue behind fibroids.

The typical signs of endometriosis encompass agonising , heavy menstrual flow, discomfort during or after sexual activity, and challenges when trying to conceive. There are a myriad of additional symptoms for those affected by endometriosis, some so unassuming you could disregard them as nothing out of the ordinary.

user Nikki Lou posted a video detailing symptoms she initially dismissed as "normal", yet turned out to be indicators of "stage 2" endometriosis. This condition is classified into four stages by severity, with stage two identified as "mild" endometriosis featuring invasive growths beyond what is seen in stage one.

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Nikki Lou recounted how she was afflicted by intense fatigue, bloating, and food intolerances without realising they were linked to her endometriosis.

Additionally, she elaborated on suffering from relentless urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain in her lower back, abdomen, arms, hips, and legs, as well as fertility issues and irregular ovulation patterns.

But one particular symptom got people in the comments talking, especially as it appears to intensify with the summer heat. Nikki Lou claimed she feels "physically ill and weak" when basking in the sunshine, attributing these sensations to her endometriosis.

Direct evidence linking endometriosis with increased sensitivity to the sun isn't established; however, as symptoms of the condition are known to be diverse, they can certainly be aggravated by the warmer climate. Nausea brought on by endometriosis might become more pronounced under the sweltering sun, and heat has also been noted to potentially spur inflammation, deepening the discomfort for some.

In response to Nikki Lou's video, a commenter said: "The sun thing was something I didn't know till right now. All the others I had tracked back, but now I'm like 'yup me too girl.'"

Symptoms of endometriosis

Symptoms of endometriosis vary widely among individuals and hinge on where within the body the tissue decides to take root. The informs us that symptoms manifest predominantly during menstrual periods, as patches of misplaced endometrial tissue break down similarly to standard lining, but lack an exit strategy.

You might have some symptoms during your period, such as:

• Severe period pain that stops you from doing your normal activities
• Heavy periods, where you need to change your pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes.
• Pain when you poo or pee

You can have other symptoms at any time in your menstrual cycle, such as:

• pain in your lower tummy and back (pelvic area)
• pain during or after sex
• extreme tiredness (fatigue)
• pain or bleeding in other areas, such as in the chest, which may cause shortness of breath and coughing up blood

When to see a GP

Experiencing potential endometriosis symptoms merits booking an appointment with your GP, particularly if they're ramping up or hampering your daily routine. Diagnosing this elusive ailment can be a drawn-out process, as the symptom can be similar to other conditions such as fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease.

While there are no existing treatments that can completely cure endometriosis, there are ways to manage the symptoms, including pain. You might be provided with painkillers or prescribed hormones like the combined contraceptive pill to help regulate your menstrual cycle. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to remove areas affected by endometriosis.

You can find more information and support for endometriosis on the website.