March is Women's Month and the month in which the world pays special attention to endometriosis – a condition that affects millions of women but is often misunderstood and left undiagnosed for years.
As part of the RealFood campaign "I am a Bulgarian woman. I know what I choose." we turn our focus to the female body, informed choice, and health care.
To bring more clarity to the topic, we talk to Dr. Elitsa Valerieva – an obstetrician-gynecologist with many years of experience, who works daily with women who have endometriosis.
In this article you will learn:
- What endometriosis actually is
- The first signals the body sends
- Why diagnosis is often delayed
- When pain is not a normal part of being a woman
- How endometriosis affects quality of life
- The role of lifestyle, nutrition and support
- The small steps that can help women feel better
You can watch the full interview on our YouTube channel.
What Is Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining begins to grow outside the uterus.
It is most commonly found:
- in the ovaries
- in the uterus itself
- between the muscle fibers of the uterine wall
- in nearby organs such as the bladder or intestines
- on the pelvic wall
In some cases, deep pelvic endometriosis may also develop, which is often associated with severe pain and significant discomfort.
In recent years there has been an increase in the number of diagnosed cases. According to Dr. Valerieva, this is due to several factors:
- lifestyle changes
- higher stress levels
- dietary changes
- later realization of reproductive plans
Women's lives today are different from what they were a century ago – and this has an impact on health.
What Are the First Symptoms of Endometriosis
One of the challenges with endometriosis is that it sometimes progresses without clearly expressed symptoms.
In other cases, women may experience various signals from their bodies.
Among the most common are:
- severe pain during menstruation
- very heavy periods with clots
- pain or discomfort during intercourse
- abdominal bloating
- pain during bowel movements
- pelvic or lower abdominal pain
In some cases, shoulder pain during menstruation may also occur, when endometriosis affects areas within the abdominal cavity.
It is important to remember that symptoms can vary from woman to woman.
Why Diagnosis Is Often Delayed
Many women live with endometriosis for years without a diagnosis.
There are several reasons for this. On the one hand, diagnostic methods – such as ultrasound or MRI – can only detect endometriosis once the lesions reach a certain size.
On the other hand, the symptoms are often normalized. Many women have grown used to accepting pain as an unavoidable part of being a woman.
But according to Dr. Valerieva:
"Pain is not a normal part of being a woman."
If your menstrual pain is so severe that it:
- interferes with work
- requires taking multiple painkillers
- restricts your daily life
This is a sign that medical help should be sought.
How Endometriosis Affects Quality of Life
Endometriosis does not affect only physical health. It can have an impact on:
- sleep
- movement
- work capacity
- social life
- emotional state
Many women share that they start to plan their lives around their menstrual cycle, because they know that on certain days they won't be able to function normally.
This is a serious disruption to quality of life. That is why Dr. Valerieva emphasizes how important a comprehensive approach is – not only medical, but also psychological.
Consulting a psychologist can help women cope with the emotional stress that often accompanies chronic pain.
The Role of Lifestyle and Nutrition
When we talk about women's health, lifestyle always matters.
According to Dr. Valerieva, many women with endometriosis notice, even before diagnosis, that nutrition affects how they feel.
That is why consulting a nutritionist is often recommended.
Some of the important aspects of daily care include:
- balanced nutrition
- moderate physical activity
- stress management
- adequate sleep
More and more specialists are also paying attention to the role of supportive nutrients, which can be part of an overall healthy regimen. According to Dr. Elitsa Valerieva, in some women certain nutrients can have a supportive effect, especially when tailored to individual symptoms and condition.
For example:
- probiotics – for gut discomfort and digestive changes during menstruation
- vitamin D – supports emotional balance and mood stability
- turmeric supplements – good anti-inflammatory properties
At RealFood we offer Cytoplan Vitamin D3 Vegan and Cytoplan Cell-Active Curcumin Plus, which have high bioavailability, a clean formula, proven effectiveness, and are recommended by practicing specialists.
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Support Is Also Part of the Treatment
Women with endometriosis often face another challenge as well – a lack of understanding from those around them.
Chronic pain is hard to explain to people who haven't experienced it. That is why support from loved ones is extremely important.
Dr. Valerieva believes that the most important thing in these situations is compassion and understanding. Love, patience and support can make the path much lighter.
A Message to Every Woman
If we had to sum up this conversation in one sentence, it would be:
There is life without pain.
No woman should accept suffering as normal. The sooner help is sought and a diagnosis is made, the more opportunities there are to improve quality of life.
At RealFood we believe that awareness is the first step toward better health.
That is precisely why we created the campaign:
"I am a Bulgarian woman. I know what I choose."
Because every woman deserves:
- clarity
- support
- care
- a life without pain.
And the most important step always begins with one decision – to listen to your body. 💙
