Endometriosis occurs when some of the tissue normally found inside the uterus, such as on our ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladders, or any other area of our bodies, grows outside the uterus. A woman with Endometriosis may see several doctors before they receive a diagnosis, as the condition is fairly common. About one in ten women will have the condition during their childbearing years.
Usually, ovarian Endometriosis presents with a chocolate cyst (brown-colored filled with dark tar) in the ovary. However, it can also develop in the uterus (adenomyosis), fallopian tubes, pelvic peritoneum, rectum, and umbilicus.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
A primary symptom of Endometriosis is pelvic pain. Endometriosis is characterized by severe pain during periods, which is much worse than the pain experienced by women without the disorder. This pain may increase as the disease progresses.
The following are some of the most common signs and symptoms of Endometriosis–
- Period cramps, lower back pain, and abdominal pain may occur several days before or after the start of your period.
- It's common for women with Endometriosis to have pain during or after sex.
- Menstruation pain is most common when your bowel movements or urination are involved.
- Bleeding during periods and between periods is a symptom of heavy menstruation.
- Infertility
During the menstrual period, women might also experience fatigue, dizziness, constipation, bloating, or nausea. It is to be noted that the severity of pain doesn't always show the severity of the condition. Endometriosis can sometimes cause a lot of pain, or it can sometimes cause nothing at all.
There are several conditions that can cause pelvic pain, including pelvic inflammation (PID), ovarian cysts, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes cramps, diarrhea, and constipation. The diagnosis of Endometriosis and IBS can be complicated when they occur at the same time.
Causes of Endometriosis
There are several possible explanations for the problem, but the exact cause is unknown.
- The flow of blood backward into the pelvis during retrograde menstruation leads to the growth, thickening, and bleeding of cells on the pelvis and the surfaces of the pelvic organs.
- A theory suggests that hormones or immune factors transform peritoneal cells into endometrial types of cells.
- During puberty, estrogen can trigger puberty by causing embryonic cells to become endometrial-like.
- A hysterectomy or c-section incision may get attached to endometrial cells, making it worse.
- Using blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatics), the endometrium transports endometrial cells around the body, becoming one of the prevalent causes of Endometriosis.
- The body might not be able to recognize and destroy endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus if it has an immune system problem.
Treatments for Endometriosis
The most common treatment for this condition is medication and surgery. You and your doctor should decide what to do based on your symptoms. In general, doctors, at first, recommend conservative treatments for Endometriosis.
If conservative treatment doesn't work, surgery is recommended. It is possible to try a variety of options, such as-
- Hormone Therapy
It is believed that endometrial implants thicken, break down, and bleed as a result of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Endometriosis sufferers may be able to reduce or eliminate their pain with hormone supplements. Endometrial tissue implants can be prevented from growing with the help of hormone therapy.
- Hormone Contraceptive
Birth control pills, patches, or rings can reduce endometrial tissue build-up by reducing the hormones that cause it. By using hormonal contraceptives constantly, you may notice the pain disappear.
- Laparotomy (Minimally Invasive Procedure)
It is considered one of the preferred surgical treatments for Endometriosis. It is possible to remove “rogue” endometrial growth through conservative surgery procedures, such as lasers, while keeping the reproductive system intact.
- Hysterectomy
In cases where other treatments fail or symptoms do not improve, a hysterectomy is performed, which removes the reproductive system organs, including the cervix, ovaries, or uterus, whole or part. Surrogacy may be the best option for becoming parents after a hysterectomy, either naturally or with assisted reproductive technology (ART).
The good news is that Endometriosis can be managed with the right treatment when diagnosed early. Talk to your physician about pain management options, treatment planning, and assistance in conceiving.
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