Symptoms of endometriosis as Amy Schumer addresses ‘puffier’ face

Amy Schumer has responded to queries about her "puffier" than usual face, explaining that it is due to her endometriosis.

The 42-year-old actor shared a post on Instagram addressing comments about her appearance on a recent TV appearance.

The Life & Beth star explained that she has "some medical and hormonal things" going on "right now" and admitted that some days she feels like she wants to "put a bag over my head", while others she feels "confident".

"Thank you so much for everyone’s input about my face!" she wrote.

"I've enjoyed feedback and deliberation about my appearance as all women do for almost 20 years. And you’re right it is puffier than normal right now.

"I have endometriosis an auto immune disease that every woman should read about. There are some medical and hormonal things going on in my world right now but I’m okay."

Schumer went on to add that while women don't need to justify their looks, she wants to encourage others to embrace their own bodies.

"I wanted to take the opportunity to advocate for self love and acceptance of the skin you’re in," she wrote. "Like every other women/person some days I feel confident and good as hell and others I want to put a bag over my head."

Danielle Lloyd has also opened up about living with endometriosis revealing that she plans to undergo an endometrial ablation and sterilisation surgery.

"Anyone with endometriosis will tell you, it's not just like period pain, it's pains shooting down your legs, awful cramps, heavy bleeding and exhaustion," the model and TV personality told OK!

"I'm still waiting for my endometrial ablation and sterilisation, but I think as soon as that's done, I'll feel so much better."

Lloyd, 40, was first diagnosed with the condition in 2020 and was recently advised to have a hysterectomy to reduce the risk of developing cancer.

It comes after fashion designer, presenter and model Alexa Chung, 40, said last year that women are being "dismissed, misdiagnosed and left floundering" before they get tested for endometriosis. She received treatment for the condition while a cyst was being removed.

"The condition is shrouded in mystery and misinformation, and frequently mishandled by doctors. There’s no cure," the former T4 presenter wrote in British Vogue.

"Often sufferers end up going back for surgery after surgery. Shockingly, there are stories of some doctors suggesting that women have a baby to suppress their symptoms."

Recent research found that women with endometriosis could become infertile years before being diagnosed with the condition.

Diagnosis of the condition is often delayed by seven years, the research outlines, as many women mistake the heavy bleeding and pain for being a heavy period. This delay means that women are often already infertile before they are officially diagnosed.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis the growth of endometrial-like tissue (the lining of the womb/uterus) outside of the uterus.

"Endometriosis is a condition which affects women usually around the age of 30 to 40," Dr Diana Gall from Doctor-4-U previously told Yahoo UK.

"The uterus is lined with tissue known as endometrium, but in some women this tissue grows outside of the uterus on the ovaries and fallopian tubes causing painful symptoms which are sometimes chronic.

"When a woman menstruates, this lining breaks down and is discarded through a bleed, but if this tissue is on the outside of the womb there is nowhere to release the bleed."

According to recent statistics from Endometriosis UK, an estimated one in 10 women of reproductive age in the UK suffer from it. And 10% of women live with the condition worldwide, that's 176 million.

Signs and symptoms of endometriosis

According to the NHS the symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women are badly affected, while others might not have any noticeable symptoms.

For women who do experience symptoms the main sign is likely extreme period pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain.) Periods are also likely to be very heavy.

Some other common symptoms include:

• pain in your lower tummy or back (pelvic pain) – usually worse during your period

• period pain that stops you doing your normal activities

• pain during or after sex

• pain when peeing or pooping during your period

• feeling sick, constipation, diarrhoea, or blood in your pee or poo during your period

• difficulty getting pregnant

What causes endometriosis?

No one really knows why certain women suffer from endometriosis, but several theories exist.

"In some women with the condition it's also common for other female family members to have endometriosis which suggests it's a hereditary condition, or that you're more likely to develop the condition if your mother or sisters have it," Dr Gall explains.

"There's also a link between endometriosis and women who have a weak immune system, the body cannot fight off endometrial cells that are growing elsewhere in the body due to low immunity," she continues.

Some women have existing problems with their menstruation which may also be a cause.

"A condition known as retrograde menstruation is the most common cause of endometriosis," Dr Gall explains.

"Retrograde menstruation occurs when the lining of the womb flows back up through the fallopian tubes instead of being released out of the body and instead grows on other pelvic organs."

How is endometriosis treated?

At the moment there is no cure for endometriosis, but there are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms.

According to the NHS treatments include:

• painkillers

• certain hormonal contraceptives - including the combined pill

• the contraceptive patch

• an intrauterine system (IUS)

• medicines called gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues.

In certain cases those living with the condition can have surgery to cut away patches of endometriosis tissue.

And in severe cases you can have an operation to remove part or all of the organs affected by endometriosis, such as surgery to remove the womb, a hysterectomy.

Where to get help for endometriosis

Endometriosis UK provides a huge wealth of support and information in addition to a helpline, web chat and online community.

They recommend reaching out to The Samaritans for 24-hour emotional support and suggest joining a local support group, too.

Watch: Endometriosis: Women in severe pain put off GP visits because of 'medical gaslighting' and thinking pain is normal