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Think endometriosis is just a bad period? Or that pregnancy cures it? Think again! In this myth-busting episode, we’re cutting through the noise and delivering facts about endometriosis and adenomyosis. Learn what these conditions really are, why they’re often misunderstood, and how misinformation impacts treatment and diagnosis. Whether you’re new to these topics or looking for reliable resources, this episode will empower you with knowledge and help recharge your advocacy battery.
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Website endobattery.com
Understanding Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Misconceptions
Speaker 1
0:02
Welcome
to
EndoBattery
,
where
I
share
my
journey
with
endometriosis
and
chronic
illness
,
while
learning
and
growing
along
the
way
.
This
podcast
is
not
a
substitute
for
medical
advice
,
but
a
supportive
space
to
provide
community
and
valuable
information
so
you
never
have
to
face
this
journey
alone
.
We
embrace
a
range
of
perspectives
that
may
not
always
align
with
our
own
.
Believing
that
open
dialogue
helps
us
grow
and
gain
new
tools
always
align
with
our
own
.
Believing
that
open
dialogue
helps
us
grow
and
gain
new
tools
.
Join
me
as
I
share
stories
of
strength
,
resilience
and
hope
,
from
personal
experiences
to
expert
insights
.
I'm
your
host
,
alana
,
and
this
is
EndoBattery
charging
our
lives
when
endometriosis
drains
us
.
Welcome
to
EndoBattery
.
Here
,
we're
all
about
recharging
your
knowledge
and
powering
you
up
for
your
journey
to
better
health
,
whether
you're
newly
diagnosed
,
supporting
someone
you
love
or
just
really
curious
about
what's
going
on
in
the
world
of
endometriosis
and
adenomyosis
.
You've
come
to
the
right
place
.
Because
so
many
of
you
have
made
EndoBattery
a
trusted
resource
for
reliable
information
on
endometriosis
and
other
chronic
pain
and
illnesses
,
I
thought
it
was
worthwhile
to
create
a
simple
Mythbusting
101
,
the
Truth
About
Endometriosis
Guide
.
This
guide
is
designed
to
be
easy
to
understand
while
empowering
you
with
knowledge
.
So
let's
dive
in
.
Let's
start
with
the
basics
.
What
is
endometriosis
?
Endometriosis
,
often
shortened
to
endo
,
is
a
systemic
inflammatory
disease
where
tissue
similar
to
the
lining
of
the
uterus
,
known
as
endometrium
,
grows
outside
the
uterus
.
This
tissue
can
appear
on
the
ovaries
,
fallopian
tubes
,
pelvic
lining
and
even
on
expected
places
like
the
diaphragm
,
lungs
or
heart
.
The
disease
is
driven
by
a
complex
biomolecular
process
involving
hormones
,
including
estrogen
and
progesterone
resistance
.
These
factors
contribute
to
chronic
pain
,
infertility
and
a
wide
range
of
other
symptoms
.
While
much
about
endometriosis
remains
unknown
,
its
impact
on
those
affected
can
be
profound
,
underscoring
the
need
for
better
understanding
and
treatment
options
.
Adenomyosis
,
on
the
other
hand
,
is
like
endometriosis'
cousin
,
who
moves
in
uninvited
.
Here
,
the
endometrial
tissue
grows
into
the
muscular
wall
of
the
uterus
itself
.
Imagine
your
uterus
deciding
to
make
itself
a
thick
,
cranky
,
constantly
cramping
roommate
.
Fun
,
right
?
Not
so
much
.
Now
that
we've
laid
the
groundwork
,
let's
bust
some
myths
and
shine
a
light
on
the
facts
,
because
misinformation
about
these
conditions
spreads
faster
than
my
grandma's
questionable
casserole
recipe
at
a
potluck
.
Starting
off
with
our
first
myth
Endometriosis
is
just
a
bad
period
Fact
Nope
,
not
at
all
.
Endometriosis
can
cause
pain
all
month
long
,
including
during
ovulation
,
bowel
movements
and
even
sex
.
Romantic
huh
Myth
Pregnancy
cures
endometriosis
.
Fact
that's
a
false
statement
.
While
some
people
experience
symptom
relief
during
pregnancy
,
it's
temporary
.
Endometriosis
is
not
magically
banished
by
a
baby
.
Myth
Hysterectomy
cures
endometriosis
.
Fact
Endometriosis
can
persist
even
after
a
hysterectomy
because
it's
tissue
outside
the
uterus
.
Removing
the
uterus
doesn't
address
those
rogue
endometriosis
cells
hanging
out
elsewhere
.
Myth
Endometriosis
always
shows
up
on
imaging
tests
Fact
Unless
you
are
a
skilled
endometriosis
surgeon
.
Many
times
it
is
missed
on
ultrasound
or
MRIs
.
The
gold
standard
for
diagnosis
is
still
laparoscopic
surgery
with
a
positive
pathological
report
.
Myth
You're
too
young
to
have
endometriosis
.
Fact
Endometriosis
has
been
found
in
teens
and
even
preteens
.
It's
not
just
an
adult
disease
.
Myth
Endometriosis
only
affects
the
reproductive
system
.
Fact
Endometriosis
is
a
whole
body
disease
.
It
can
affect
the
gastrointestinal
tract
,
bladder
,
diaphragm
and
more
.
Speaker 1
4:15
Myth
Adenomyosis
is
the
same
as
endometriosis
.
Fact
While
they're
related
.
Adenomyosis
is
tissue
growing
within
the
uterine
wall
,
whereas
endometriosis
is
tissue
growing
outside
the
uterus
.
Myth
Heavy
bleeding
and
cramping
are
normal
.
Fact
,
while
common
heavy
bleeding
and
severe
cramping
are
not
normal
and
may
indicate
a
problem
like
adenomyosis
or
endometriosis
.
Myth
Endometriosis
can't
cause
infertility
.
Speaker 1
4:48
Fact
Up
to
50%
of
individuals
with
endometriosis
experience
infertility
,
but
treatments
can
help
.
Myth
it's
rare
to
have
both
endometriosis
and
adenomyosis
.
Fact
Many
people
with
endometriosis
also
have
adenomyosis
.
They're
like
partners
in
crime
,
unfortunately
.
Myth
Endometriosis
pain
is
proportional
to
the
severity
of
the
disease
.
Fact
Someone
with
minimal
endometriosis
can
have
severe
pain
,
and
someone
with
extensive
disease
may
have
little
to
no
pain
.
Speaker 1
5:25
Myth
Hormonal
treatments
can
cure
endometriosis
.
Fact
Hormonal
therapies
may
manage
symptoms
,
but
don't
address
the
underlying
disease
.
Myth
Endometriosis
is
caused
by
retrograde
menstruation
.
Fact
While
retrograde
menstruation
is
one
theory
,
it
doesn't
explain
why
some
people
with
retrograde
flow
don't
develop
endometriosis
.
Myth
Painful
sex
is
just
part
of
being
a
woman
.
Fact
Pain
during
sex
is
not
normal
and
may
indicate
endometriosis
or
adenomyosis
.
Myth
If
you
have
a
high
pain
tolerance
,
you
don't
need
treatment
.
Fact
Living
with
untreated
endometriosis
can
lead
to
more
severe
complications
,
including
organ
damage
.
Speaker 1
6:15
Myth
Birth
control
pills
can't
help
.
Fact
While
not
a
cure
,
hormonal
birth
control
can
manage
symptoms
for
some
people
.
Myth
Only
people
with
uteruses
are
affected
.
Fact
While
these
conditions
primarily
affect
individuals
with
uteruses
,
trans
men
and
non-binary
individuals
can
also
experience
them
.
Myth
it
is
all
in
your
head
.
All
in
your
head
.
Fact
Endometriosis
and
adenomyosis
are
very
real
,
very
physical
conditions
and
,
yes
,
science
backs
this
up
.
Speaker 1
7:00
Myth
Endometriosis
always
gets
better
with
age
Fact
For
some
maybe
.
However
,
symptoms
can
worsen
over
time
without
treatment
.
Myth
Surgery
isn't
necessary
.
Fact
Excision
surgery
is
widely
recognized
as
the
gold
standard
for
treating
endometriosis
,
offering
the
best
chance
at
long-term
relief
.
However
,
it
is
just
one
step
in
managing
this
complex
disease
.
A
multidisciplinary
approach
,
like
addressing
pain
management
,
hormone
therapies
,
nutrition
,
physical
therapy
and
mental
health
,
is
often
essential
for
comprehensive
care
.
Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Awareness
Speaker 1
7:33
Myth
Bladder
symptoms
mean
you
just
have
a
UTI
.
Fact
Endometriosis
can
affect
the
bladder
,
causing
pain
,
urgency
and
frequency
that
mimic
a
UTI
but
don't
improve
with
antibiotics
.
Myth
Bowel
symptoms
are
just
IBS
.
Fact
Endometriosis
on
the
bowel
can
cause
severe
pain
,
constipation
,
diarrhea
,
bloating
and
often
mistaken
for
IBS
or
other
GI
conditions
.
Myth
Blood
in
your
urine
or
stool
is
isn't
related
to
endometriosis
.
Fact
endometriosis
can
invade
the
bladder
and
bowel
,
causing
blood
to
appear
during
menstruation
or
even
outside
of
it
.
And
lastly
,
myth
painful
bowel
movements
are
unrelated
to
your
cycle
.
Fact
pain
during
bowel
movements
,
especially
around
menstruation
,
is
a
common
symptom
of
bowel
endometriosis
.
Speaker 1
8:35
Research
shows
that
up
to
10%
of
people
assigned
female
at
birth
have
endometriosis
.
That's
1
in
10
,
folks
.
Adenomyosis
is
slightly
less
common
,
but
still
significantly
underdiagnosed
.
So
if
you
felt
dismissed
,
invalidated
or
just
plain
confused
,
know
this
you
are
not
alone
and
there's
a
whole
community
here
ready
to
support
you
.
If
you
want
to
learn
more
.
Make
sure
to
subscribe
so
you
don't
miss
an
episode
.
I'll
continue
sitting
down
with
the
experts
who
help
empower
us
.
You
never
know
when
a
guest
might
give
you
that
aha
moment
,
recharging
your
battery
and
motivating
you
to
keep
advocating
for
yourself
and
for
others
.