Endometriosis is a common painful disorder that many women visit their doctor for. The symptoms can be varied and range in severity. Fortunately, there are effective treatments available.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (womb). Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond the pelvic region.
In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. This displaced tissue has no way to exit the body – it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together.
Fertility problems may also develop in some women with endometriosis.
What are some common symptoms of endometriosis?
The symptoms of endometriosis might vary from one woman to another. The severity of symptoms can also vary. The severity of your pain is not necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have extensive pain, while others with advanced endometriosis may have little pain or even no pain at all.
The main symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with the menstrual period. Although many women experience cramping during their menstrual period, women with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that is far worse than usual. They also tend to report that the pain has increased over time. Other common symptoms and signs of endometriosis include the following:
• Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
• Pain with bowel movements or urination.
• Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
• Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
• Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea especially during menstrual periods.
Other disorders resembling endometriosis
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) a condition that causes bouts of diarrhoea, constipation and abdominal cramping.
How do you get endometriosis?
The exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, but several possible explanations have been suggested over the years and include the following: retrograde menstruation, immune system disorder, embryonic cell growth, transport of endometrial cells by blood vessels and through the lymphatic system and following surgery-surgical scar implantation. It is possible that there is more than one cause of endometriosis.
Complications of endometriosis?
The main complication of endometriosis is impaired fertility. Approximately one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant. If you suspect that you have endometriosis you should see your gynaecologist. Many women with mild to moderate endometriosis can still conceive and carry a pregnancy to term. Some gynaecologists sometimes advise women with endometriosis not to delay having children because the condition may worsen with time.
Making the diagnosis
During your visit to your gynaecologist, a detailed medical history and physical examination are carried out. A number of tests and investigations might be needed to make the diagnosis and rule out other disorders.
Treatment
There are many treatment options available for successfully treating endometriosis, but treatment usually involves medications and surgery. Most doctors opt for surgery if conservative measures fail. The approach you and your doctor choose will depend on the severity of your signs and symptoms and whether you hope to become pregnant.
Conclusion
Endometriosis is a disease in which cells similar to those which line the uterus (endometrium) grow outside the uterine cavity. It is typically diagnosed during the reproductive years of women. The symptoms can be very severe and one of the many complications is impaired fertility. Treatment options are available for successfully treating this disorder. Talk to your doctor today.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty two years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
