Adenomyosis

Understanding Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, often on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining. In some cases, it can spread beyond the pelvic area. Each month, this tissue thickens, breaks down, and bleeds but unlike the uterine lining, it has nowhere to go. This can lead to:

• Cysts (endometriomas): fluid-filled sacs that may form on the ovaries.

• Irritation and scarring: inflammation can cause fibrous tissue (adhesions) that make organs stick together, leading to chronic pain.

Endometriosis can impact daily comfort, fertility, and emotional wellbeing but early awareness and management make a real difference.

Common Symptoms

Symptoms can vary in severity, but the most common include:

• Severe period pain that starts before and continues through menstruation

• Heavy/irregular bleeding between cycles

• Chronic pelvic or lower-back pain

• Pain during or after sex

• Painful urination or bowel movements 

• Bloating and digestive issues

• Fatigue or low energy

• Difficulty conceiving

Symptom severity doesn’t always reflect how advanced the condition is, even mild endometriosis can cause intense pain.

What Causes Endometriosis?

The exact cause isn’t fully understood, but research suggests several contributing factors:

• Genetic predisposition: it can run in families.

• Immune dysfunction: the body may struggle to clear endometrial-like cells growing outside the uterus.

• Hormonal and cellular factors: oestrogen can fuel tissue growth, and endometrial cells may spread through the bloodstream or lymphatic system.

• Retrograde menstruation: menstrual blood flows backward through the fallopian tubes, carrying cells that implant elsewhere.

Endometriosis is a complex condition but understanding its triggers helps guide effective treatment and lifestyle changes.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis often involves a combination of:

• Clinical evaluation: reviewing symptoms and medical history.

• Ultrasound or MRI scans: to detect cysts or lesions.

• Laparoscopy: a minimally invasive surgery that provides the most accurate confirmation.

• Blood tests (CA-125): may be used to support diagnosis or monitor treatment, though not definitive.

If you suspect endometriosis, seek medical advice early diagnosis helps prevent complications and improves quality of life.

Managing Endometriosis

There’s currently no cure, but symptoms can be managed effectively with a mix of medical, lifestyle, and holistic approaches:

• Pain management: anti-inflammatory medications or natural relief options like Ovrelief can ease cramps and muscle tension.

• Hormonal therapy: birth control pills, progesterone, or hormone-suppressing medication can help regulate cycles.

• Lifestyle changes: balanced diet, gentle movement, and stress reduction can support hormonal balance.

• Surgery: laparoscopy can remove lesions in severe cases; hysterectomy is considered only when other treatments fail and fertility is not a goal.

With the right support, women living with endometriosis can regain comfort, energy, and control over their wellbeing.

Understanding PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal imbalance that affects women of reproductive age. It can influence your menstrual cycle, hormone levels, skin, and fertility. PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones). This can prevent regular ovulation and lead to small fluid-filled sacs (follicles) forming on the ovaries.

While the exact cause isn’t fully known, PCOS is influenced by factors such as genetics, insulin resistance, and lifestyle. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone, millions of women live with PCOS and learn to manage their symptoms every day. Early awareness and management can reduce long-term health risks and help you regain control of your wellbeing.

Common Signs and Symptoms:

PCOS looks different for everyone, but some of the most common symptoms include:

• Irregular or missed periods, cycles that are unpredictable or absent
• Hair thinning, especially around the crown or scalp
• Hormonal changes such as acne, oily skin, or unwanted facial/body hair
• Weight fluctuations, often linked to insulin resistance
• Mood changes, anxiety, low energy, or emotional imbalance
• Difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation

Recognising these symptoms is the first step in understanding your body and finding what works best for you.

What Causes PCOS?

Although there’s no single cause, research shows PCOS is often related to:

• Insulin resistance: When the body doesn’t respond effectively to insulin, it produces more of it. This can trigger increased testosterone, leading to symptoms such as acne, hair growth, and irregular cycles.
• Genetics: A family history of PCOS can increase your risk.
• Lifestyle factors: Diet, movement, stress, and sleep all play a role in hormone balance.

Understanding these contributing factors can help you make small, meaningful changes that support your hormonal health. 

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

PCOS is usually diagnosed by ruling out other conditions and checking at least two of the following:

• Irregular or infrequent periods, signs of disrupted ovulation
• Elevated androgen levels, identified through blood tests
• Polycystic ovaries, confirmed via ultrasound imaging

A professional diagnosis helps you take the next step in creating a management plan that fits your body and lifestyle.

Managing PCOS Naturally:

There’s no cure for PCOS, but with the right lifestyle and support, symptoms can be effectively managed.

• Lifestyle support: Gentle exercise, balanced meals, and mindful stress management can help regulate insulin and hormones.
• Hormonal treatments: Prescribed options like birth control or Metformin may help balance cycles and hormones.
• Hair & skin management: Topical treatments can support acne or excess hair growth.
• Fertility support: Medical treatments like ovulation-stimulating medication or IVF may be considered if conception is difficult.
• Complementary support: Natural pain-relief solutions like Ovrelief can help ease cramps, bloating, and discomfort caused by hormonal fluctuations.

Managing PCOS isn’t about perfection. It’s about progress, balance, and learning to work with your body.

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Understanding Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (the endometrium) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. Although displaced, this tissue still thickens and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, which can lead to:

• An enlarged uterus

• Painful and heavy periods

Some people experience severe discomfort, while others have mild or no symptoms.Adenomyosis can impact daily comfort and energy levels but understanding it is the first step to finding relief.

Common Symptoms:

Symptoms vary, but the most common include:

• Heavy or prolonged periods

• Severe menstrual cramps

• Chronic pelvic pain

• Pain during intercourse

• Bloating

• Persistent bleeding between periods

• Uterine enlargement causing tenderness or pressure in the lower abdomen

Causes of Adenomyosis

The exact cause isn’t fully known, but research suggests a few contributing factors:

• Invasive tissue growth: Endometrial cells may penetrate the uterine muscle, sometimes following surgeries like a C-section.

• Developmental origins: Some may be born with endometrial tissue embedded in the uterus during fetal development.

• Post-childbirth inflammation: The uterus may become inflamed after delivery, weakening the boundary between the uterine lining and muscle.

• Stem cell involvement: Stem cells might transform into endometrial-like tissue inside the uterine wall.

Oestrogen plays a key role in fueling adenomyosis this is why symptoms often ease after menopause.

Managing and Treating Adenomyosis

There’s no single cure, but symptoms can be managed to restore comfort and improve quality of life.

• Pain Management: Natural TENS therapy (like Ovrelief) offers gentle, drug-free relief from menstrual discomfort.

• Hormonal Therapies

• Endometrial ablation: Removes or destroys the uterine lining to ease heavy bleeding.

• Uterine artery embolisation (UAE): Reduces blood flow to affected tissue to relieve pain.

• Surgical options such as a Hysterectomy: The complete removal of the uterus, usually only for severe cases when other treatments haven’t worked and fertility is not a goal.

• Heat therapy: Gentle warmth can ease cramps and relax the uterus.

• Regular movement: Light exercise helps reduce inflammation and support circulation.

Every case is unique the best approach combines medical care, self-care, and natural pain management tools like Ovrelief.

Understanding Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual disorders are conditions that affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, including its timing, flow, and associated symptoms. They are among the most common reasons people visit their gynaecologist and can disrupt everyday life, productivity, and overall wellbeing. In some cases, menstrual disorders may also make it more difficult to conceive. Understanding your cycle is key to managing symptoms and supporting your body naturally.

Common Types of Menstrual Disorders

• Abnormal uterine bleeding: Heavy, prolonged, or irregular bleeding.

• Amenorrhea: Absence of menstruation

• Oligomenorrhea: Light/infrequent periods

• Fibroids: Non-cancerous growths in the uterus that can affect flow and pain.

• Painful periods (Dysmenorrhea): Cramping or pelvic pain during menstruation, which can be primary (without an underlying condition) or secondary (linked to conditions like endometriosis or adenomyosis).

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Physical and emotional discomfort before menstruation.

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD): A more severe form of PMS involving intense mood and physical changes.

Common Symptoms

Menstrual disorders can present differently for everyone, but common symptoms include:

• Irregular or heavy bleeding

• Cramping and pelvic pain

• Bloating or fullness in the abdomen

• Fatigue and low energy

• Headaches

• Mood swings, anxiety, or emotional distress

Causes of Menstrual Disorders

Several factors can contribute to menstrual irregularities, including:

• Hormonal imbalances (oestrogen or progesterone fluctuations)

• Uterine fibroids or polyps

• Blood-clotting disorders

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Endometriosis or Adenomyosis

• Thyroid dysfunction

• Stress or sudden weight changes

• Certain medications or underlying health conditions

Diagnosis

A doctor may review your symptoms and cycle history and perform a physical or pelvic exam. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Hormone or blood tests

• Ultrasound scan to detect fibroids, cysts, or structural changes.

• MRI to examine at reproductive organs

• Hysteroscopy a thin camera inserted into the uterus to check for growths/abnormalities

• Endometrial biopsy

• Dilation and curettage (D&C)

Accurate diagnosis is key to creating a tailored plan for symptom management and hormone balance.

Find Relief with Ovrelief

Living with menstrual disorders can be exhausting, from painful cramps and heavy bleeding to chronic fatigue and pelvic discomfort. Ovrelief was created to help you take back control naturally. Using clinically recognised TENS technology, our sleek, wearable device sends gentle electrical pulses through the skin to relax uterine muscles, ease cramps, and boost the body’s natural feel-good hormones. It’s completely drug-free, discreet, and safe for daily use, offering fast relief whether you’re at work, resting, or on the go. Designed with women’s health in mind, Ovrelief supports conditions like PCOS, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, and painful periods - empowering you to feel comfortable and confident every day.