Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects about 10% women during their “reproductive years” (that’s the years between starting the menstrual period and menopause). Approximately 176 million women over the world suffer from endometriosis.Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus) is found elsewhere in the body.Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere in the pelvic cavity: on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall. Other common sites include the uterosacral ligaments, the cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas, and in the rectal-vaginal septum.It can also be found in caecarian-section scars, laparoscopy or laparotomy scars, and on the bladder, bowel, intestines, colon, appendix, and rectum. Rarely, endometriosis has been found inside the vagina, inside the bladder, on the skin, even in the lung, spine, and brain.
Q.What are the symptoms of endometriosis ?
Ans: Progressively increasing dysmenorrhea (periods pains or menstrual cramping) may be a symptom of endometriosis. These are caused by contractions of uterine muscle initiated by prostaglandins released from the endometrial tissue. A puzzling feature of endometriosis is that the degree of pain it causes is not related to the extent of the disease. Some women with extensive disease feel no pain at all. A woman with endometriosis may notice that as the disease progresses her periods become more painful or that the pain begins earlier or lasts longer.
Endometriosis can cause pain during intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia. The thrusting motion of the penis can produce pain in an ovary bound by scar tissue to the top of the vagina or in a tender nodule of endometriosis. Most women who have endometriosis report no bleeding irregularities. Occasionally, however, the disease is accompanied by vaginal bleeding at irregular intervals; or by premenstrual spotting.
Symptoms of endometriosis:
Endometriosis Treatments:
Diagnosing Endometriosis:
FAQ
Q.1. What is endometriosis?
Ans: Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus is also found elsewhere in the body, mainly in the abdominal cavity.
Q.2. Who gets endometriosis?
Ans: Endometriosis typically affects women during their menstruating years. Symptoms can start with or after the first menstruation and, for most women, the disease is rarely found after the menopause.
Q.3. What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Ans: The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain is often with menstruation, however a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain at other times during her monthly cycle. Another symptoms is infertility, and some women with endometriosis also experience severe fatigue.
Q.4. How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Ans: The only way to diagnose endometriosis for sure is during alaparoscopy, which is a surgical procedure. However, many physicians are able to “diagnose” endometriosis based on a woman’s symptoms and start treatment on that basis.
Q.5. Is there a cure for endometriosis?
Ans: No. But it can be treated, and for many women it is possible to manage their symptoms through a combination of long term treatments.
Q.6. Where do I find someone who specialises in endometriosis?
Ans: Most national or local support groups will be able to advise you where to find specialist help. Also read our article on how to find a centre which specialises in treating endometriosis and the questions you need to ask your physician before you decide on the right treatment for you.
Q.7. Is endometriosis a sexually transmitted disease or infectious?
Ans: No. Endometriosis cannot be transferred from one human being to another. The cause of endometriosis is not yet known, but it is not an infectious disease.
Q.8. Is endometriosis inherited?
Ans: No. Endometriosis cannot be transferred from one human being to another. The cause of endometriosis is not yet known, but it is not an infectious disease.
Q.9. Will I be able to have children?
Ans: It is estimated that 30-40% of women with endometriosis may have difficulties in becoming pregnant (but this means that 60-70% will have no problems!). If fertility is a great wish, then please discuss your symptoms with your physician so that together you can develop the best treatment plan for you.
Q.10. Will a hysterectomy cure endometriosis?
Ans: Some women chose, as a last resort to have a hysterectomy. However, this does not guarantee complete pain relief. If you opt for a hysterectomy it is important that all the endometriosis is removed at the same time.
Q.11. Will pregnancy cure endometriosis?
Ans: No. Some women find that their pain symptoms are reduced during pregnancy, but this is not the case for everyone. In most cases, endometriosis will return after giving birth and stopping breast
Q.12. Is endometriosis cancer?
Ans: No. Endometriosis cysts are sometimes referred to as “beningn tumours”, because they may “behave similarly” to cancer, but endometriosis is not the same disease. In very rare cases, endometriotic implants has lead to cancer, but this is very very rare. Some research suggests that some women with endometriosis may be at a slightly higher risk of developing certain cancers but this is still controversial.