Some think it’s too personal, embarrassing or just plain rude to talk about “that time of the month,” but it’s a fact of life and a natural function of the female body. So, let’s talk about menstruation.

As an urogynecologist, my job is talk about pelvic pain and help women identify and treat their pain. Urogynecology is a specialized field of gynecology and obstetrics that deals with female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery. Urogynecologists are doctors who diagnose and treat pelvic pain and pelvic floor conditions, such as weak bladder or pelvic organ prolapse.

I see many patients who are suffering from a debilitating condition called endometriosis. We all know periods can be painful. Couple that with endometriosis, which usually overlaps with your cycle, and it’s pure agony. Not to mention, the timeframe from the onset of your symptoms to an endometriosis diagnosis averages 10 years!

I want patients to know that their “bad” periods may be something more serious. Here are some common questions about endometriosis that can help you research treatment options.

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