Endometriosis – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Endometriosis – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments  that we should not ignore. Additionally, Endometriosis  (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus  – the endometrium – grows outside the uterus . Endometriosis  usually involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue that lines your pelvis . Rarely, endometrial tissue can spread beyond the pelvic organs. With Endometriosis  , the displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally does – it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. As this displaced tissue has no way of getting out of your body, it gets stuck. When Endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form.

The surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions – abnormal bands of fibrous tissue that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick together. Endometriosis can  cause pain – sometimes severe – especially during your period. Fertility problems can also develop. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available.

Causes of Endometriosis:  While the exact cause of Endometriosis  is not certain, possible explanations include:

• Retrograde menstruation. In retrograde menstruation  , menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows backwards through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. These displaced endometrial cells cling to the pelvic walls and the surfaces of Organs pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed throughout each menstrual cycle.
• Transformation of peritoneal cells. In what’s known as the “induction theory,” experts propose that hormones or immune factors promote the transformation of peritoneal cells — cells that line the inner side of your abdomen — into endometrial cells.
• Transformation of embryonic cells. Hormones, such as estrogen, can transform embryonic cells – cells in the early stages of development – ​​into implanted endometrial cells during puberty.
• Implantation of surgical scars. After surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells can attach to a surgical incision.
• Transport of endometrial cells. The blood vessel system or fluid (lymphatic) fluid can transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
• Immune system disorder. It is possible that a problem with the immune system could make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial tissue that is growing outside the uterus .

Symptoms of Endometriosis:  The primary symptom of Endometriosis  is pelvic pain, often associated with menstruation. Although many women experience cramping during their period, women with Endometriosis  often describe menstrual pain that is much worse than usual. They also tend to report that the pain increases over time. Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis  can include:

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping can start before your period and last several days into your period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
• Pain with sexual intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with Endometriosis .
• Pain with bowel movements or urine. You are likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
• Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
• Infertility. Endometriosis is diagnosed  in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
• Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea , constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

The severity of your pain is not necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis  have severe pain, while others with advanced endometriosis  may have little or no pain at all. Endometriosis is  sometimes confused with other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It can be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes bouts of diarrhea , constipation, and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany Endometriosis , which can complicate diagnosis.

When to See a Doctor:  See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that could indicate Endometriosis . Endometriosis can be a challenging  condition to manage. An early diagnosis, a multidisciplinary medical team, and an understanding of your diagnosis can result in better management of your symptoms.

Diagnosing Endometriosis:  To diagnose Endometriosis  and other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms, including the location of your pain and when it occurs.

Endometriosis Risk Factors:  Several factors put you at a higher risk of developing Endometriosis , such as:

• never give birth
• Starting your period at an early age
• Going through menopause at an older age
• Short menstrual cycles – for example, less than 27 days
• Having higher levels of estrogen in your body or greater exposure to the estrogen your body produces
• Low body mass index
• Alcohol consumption
• One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with Endometriosis
• Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the body
• uterine abnormalities

Endometriosis  usually develops several years after the start of menstruation ( menarche). Endometriosis  signs and symptoms temporarily end with pregnancy and permanently end with menopause, unless you are taking estrogen.

Endometriosis Treatments:  Treatment for Endometriosis  is usually with medication or surgery. The approach you and your doctor choose will depend on the severity of your signs and symptoms and whether you expect to become pregnant. Doctors usually recommend conservative treatment approaches first, opting for surgery as a last resort. Endometriosis  treatment optionsinclude:

• Medications to control pain and minimize disease progression
• Surgery to remove areas affected by Endometriosis
• Radical surgery – hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries.

Treatment depends on the following factors:

• Age
• severity of symptoms
• disease severity
• If the woman wants to have children.

Preventing Endometriosis:  There are no ways to prevent Endometriosis