March is Endometriosis Awareness Month, and the Planned Parenthood Federation of America is taking the opportunity to encourage women to put their health first and remember to go for regular checkups.
“Endometriosis Awareness Month is an excellent opportunity to schedule an appointment with your health care provider,” Dr. Vanessa Cullins, Planned Parenthood’s vice president of External Medical Affairs, said in a press release. “As the nation’s leading women’s health care provider, advocate, and educator, Planned Parenthood encourages every woman to visit her health care provider regularly and ask any questions she has about birth control, cancer screenings, changes in her body, or testing for STIs [sexually transmitted infections], including HIV. Planned Parenthood is an expert on reproductive health care, and can help you manage your endometriosis pain.”
Endometriosis’ most common symptom is chronic pain, typically in the pelvic region, just before and during menstrual periods. Pain can range from light to severe, and other symptoms include intestinal pain, spotting or bleeding between periods and pain during sexual activity.