Endometriosis, is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word endometrium, which is the tissue that normally lines the uterus or womb. Endometriosis happens when this tissue grows outside of the uterus and on other areas in the body where it doesn’t belong. Endometriosis most commonly involves the ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining the pelvis. In some rare cases, endometrial tissue may spread beyond the pelvic region.
Symptoms of endometriosis may include:
● Pain. This is the most common symptom. Women with endometriosis may have many different kinds of pain. These include:
○ Very painful menstrual cramps which may get worse over time.
○ Chronic (long-term) pain in the lower back and pelvis
○ Pain during or after sex. This is usually described as a “deep” pain and is different from pain felt at the entrance to the vagina when penetration begins.
○ Intestinal pain
○ Painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods. In rare cases, there may also be blood in the stool or urine.
● Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods.
● Infertility
● Stomach (digestive) problems. These include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.
Several factors place you at greater risk of developing endometriosis, such as:
● Never giving birth
● 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
● History of pelvic infection
● Uterine abnormalities
Endometriosis usually develops several years after the onset of menstruation (menarche). Signs and symptoms of endometriosis end temporarily with pregnancy and end permanently with menopause, As the body stops making the hormone estrogen, the growths shrink slowly.
For women experiencing any of the above symptoms it is important to see a doctor for necessary testing and proper diagnosis.
If the physical exam, symptoms, and risk factors are strongly suggestive of endometriosis, treatment usually begins with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and/or hormone therapy before further tests. Hormone therapy helps to lower the body’s estrogen levels will shrink the implants and may reduce pain. If symptoms improve after a few months, the diagnosis of endometriosis is more certain.
There is no cure for endometriosis, but treatment can help with pain and infertility.
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat endometriosis. it is used to look for and possibly remove implants and scar tissue. But laparoscopy is not always needed. It is usually done when infertility requires rapid treatment and probable surgery.
Endometriosis cannot be prevented. But long-term use of birth control hormones (patch, pills, or ring) may prevent endometriosis from becoming worse.
