Actress Shamita Shetty recently opened up about her endometriosis diagnosis as well as navigating perimenopause. It has sparked concerns about delayed detection of the condition and risks associated with it. Shamita Shetty’s Endometriosis Diagnosis Speaking to Soha Ali Khan on her podcast All About Her alongside gynecological surgeon Dr. Neeta Warty, Shetty shared how her symptoms were dismissed repeatedly, leaving her searching for answers until the pain became unbearable and impossible to ignore. She said that years of unexplained pain delayed her diagnosis, making her question whether what she was experiencing was simply a “normal” part of being a woman. Shetty said routine medical tests initially failed to confirm the condition. As her health reports checked fine, she assumed her symptoms were ordinary, even as they kept returning. “I wasn't given the right diagnosis initially,” Shetty said, explaining that she underwent standard gynecological examinations, including Pap smears, but no underlying cause was identified. The actress said her symptoms intensified significantly in the months leading up to surgery. Although she considers herself to have a high pain tolerance due to previous injuries, she realized something was seriously wrong when the pain began waking her from sleep. After further investigations, she got diagnosed with endometriosis. Shetty also revealed that she was entering perimenopause around the same time her symptoms of endometriosis worsened, making it difficult to distinguish between hormonal changes and signs of endometriosis.Also read: World Population Day: How America's Falling Birth Rate Is Redefining Women's Healthcare? Raising Awareness Shetty underwent surgery for endometriosis in May 2024 and has since used her platform to encourage women not to ignore persistent pelvic pain. During the podcast, she also addressed outdated advice that women with endometriosis should “have a baby” to solve the condition, recalling that one doctor suggested pregnancy as a treatment. Shetty's diagnosis underscores the importance of paying attention to persistent symptoms rather than dismissing them as ordinary menstrual discomfort. Severe period pain that disrupts daily activities, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, heavy menstrual bleeding, or difficulty becoming pregnant should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. About Endometriosis And Perimenopause Also read: Beyond The Bump: Why Preconceptions And Antenatal Care Are Key To A Healthy PregnancyEndometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The condition often requires long-term management. It can cause symptoms like: Pevere pelvic painPainful periodsInfertilityInflammationOn the other hand, perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause, can bring symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and hormonal fluctuations. If diagnosed late, endometriosis can lead to complications like: Chronic pelvic pain that could worsen over time.Reduced fertility or infertility.Progression of the disease that could lead to larger lesions and ovarian cysts.Scar tissue (adhesions) that can cause organs to stick together.More complex surgeries.Bowel or bladder complications if the disease spreads beyond the uterus.Mental health effects, including anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life. Recent Advancements In Endometriosis Diagnosis According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects around 190 million women and girls worldwide, or 1 in 10 women of reproductive age. The organization notes that many women experience diagnostic delays because symptoms are frequently normalized or mistaken for other conditions. To curb this, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) recently rolled out two non-invasive tests — the saliva-based Endotest and the gut sensor-based EndoSure — to help speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis in England and Wales. Endotest analyses a saliva sample to identify tiny biological markers called microRNAs that can indicate whether endometriosis is likely to be present. EndoSure is a non-invasive test that detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads placed on the abdomen. For this test, patients fast for six to eight hours before the test and drink water until full during the 45-minute procedure to help the device accurately record gut activity. Results are available immediately after the test.