Endometriosis

by: AimyD
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Endometriosis is a common medical condition characterized by growth beyond or outside the uterus of tissue resembling endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus. Affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world, endometriosis occurs in roughly 5% to 10% of women. However, endometriosis can occur very rarely in post menopausal women. An estimated 2%-4% of endometriosis cases are diagnosed in the post menopausal period.In endometriosis, the endometrium is found to be growing outside the uterus, most commonly in the
pelvis.

Endometriosis is most commonly found in the lower part of the female pelvis. With the affected area most commonly being the ovary. The broad ligaments, uterosacral ligaments which are the supporting structures of the cervix containing sensory nerves from the uterus, and pouch of Douglas are the most frequently involved areas and can produce intense to no pain that may be felt in the pelvis, lower back, and during premenstrual period. Less commonly lesions can be found on the bladder, intestines, and diaphragm. Bowel endometriosis affects roughly 10% of women with endometriosis, and can cause severe pain with bowel movements. Diaphragmatic endometriosis is rare, most always on the right hemi diaphragm, and causes severe cyclic pain of the right shoulder just before and during menses.

Symptoms of endometriosis begin with a severe recurring pain. The amount of pain a woman may feel is not related to the extent of endometriosis. Some women experience little or no pain, yet endometriosis affects a large part of their body. Other symptoms of endometriosis include, but are not limited to:

-Dysmonrrhea which is very painful and sometime disables menstrual cramps.
-Repetitive Miscarriages, meaning the pregnancy ends before 3 months, this may result in severe stomach cramps and vomiting and even some bleeding.
-Chronic pelvic pain is typically accompanied by lower back pain or abdominal pain.
-Dyspareunia is painful sex
-Dysuria is urinary urgency, frequency, and at times can be painful voiding.
-Dyschezia also known as painful bowel movements.
-Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting
-Infertility
-Short or frequent menstrual cycles.
-Severe mood swings and fatigue.

Currently, there is no known cure for endometriosis, though in some patients menopause (natural or surgical) will abate the process. However, a hysterectomy and/or removal of the ovaries will not guarantee that the endometriosis areas and/or the symptoms of endometriosis will not come back, since adhesions can be found on other organs besides the reproductive organs and even on the abdominal walls. Surgical treatment tends to be conservative, with the goal of addressing pain or infertility issues through removal of the endometriosis tissue without damaging normal tissue.

It is suggested but unproven that pregnancy and childbirth can cease the growth of endometriosis. Yet even after the pregnancy, there is no guarantee that the endometriosis will not reoccur.

You should talk to your doctor if you believe you may suffer from endometriosis. Your doctor can give you the correct treatment options. With no cure for endometriosis you should take every precaution you can to keep from having complications further down the road.