A woman living with endometriosis has spoken out about an unusual symptom of her disorder that gets worse in the summer, with social media users shocked by the revelation
A woman battling endometriosis has opened up about a lesser-known symptom of the condition that exacerbates during the summer months.
Endometriosis, where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body, affects roughly one in ten women in the UK, making it the second most common gynaecological condition after fibroids.
The classic symptoms of endometriosis include excruciating periods, heavy bleeding, pain during or after sex, and difficulty getting pregnant. However, there are many other less obvious signs that could be easily overlooked.
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TikTok user Nikki Lou shared a video discussing symptoms she initially thought were “normal”, but later discovered were signs of “stage 2” endometriosis.
The disease is categorised into four stages of severity, with stage two being considered “mild” endometriosis characterised by invasive growths more advanced than those found in stage one.
Nikki Lou spoke of her struggle with severe fatigue, bloating, and food intolerances, not realising they were connected to her endometriosis.
She also detailed her experiences with persistent urinary tract infections (UTIs), pain in her lower back, abdomen, arms, hips, and legs, as well as issues with fertility and irregular ovulation cycles, reports the Mirror.
But one symptom in particular has sparked a buzz in the comments section, especially as it seems to worsen with the summer heat.
Nikki Lou described feeling “physically ill and weak” while soaking up the sun’s rays, associating these symptoms with her endometriosis.
Whilst direct evidence connecting endometriosis to increased sun sensitivity hasn’t been definitively proven, with the condition’s symptoms known for their array of manifestations, it’s plausible they could be exacerbated by hotter weather.
Nausea triggered by endometriosis may be more acute under intense sun, and it’s been suggested that heat might provoke inflammation, intensifying discomfort for some sufferers.
In Nikki Lou’s video, one viewer commented: “The sun thing was something I didn’t know till right now. All the others I had tracked back, but now I’m like ‘yup me too girl.'”.