Overview
Endometriosis is a chronic reproductive inflammatory condition that affects 10% of reproductive-age women. Endometriosis is found in women around the world and has been documented worldwide since ancient times. The word endometriosis comes from Greek words that mean “inside the uterus.” The term “endometrium” refers to cells lining the inside of the uterus; thus the word “endometriosis” refers to uterine tissue outside of it.
The cause of endometriosis is still uncertain. Current thought on the subject links the condition to retrograde menstruation, which occurs when menstrual fluid flows backward into the fallopian tubes instead of out of the uterus during menstruation. This theory is supported by the presence of endometrial deposits found in the pelvis of women who have not had children, which would suggest that the endometrial cells were retrogradely deposited during menstruation.
Another possible cause involves estrogen levels, which have been found to be lower in women who have endometriosis compared to normal amounts. Because of this factor, estrogen may play a role in the progression of the disease. Researchers also believe that the body’s immune system plays a role in its progression and development. Women with endometriosis also tend to have a family history of reproductive problems or incidents such as miscarriage, infertility, or ectopic pregnancy.
Endometriosis is often mistaken for other conditions such as fibroids, pelvic congestion, or irritable bowel syndrome, as well as a pelvic inflammatory disease. It can sometimes be detected by laparoscopy and then confirmed with a biopsy.
Symptoms include pain during menstruation, abnormal bleeding between periods, and periods lasting longer than six weeks.
What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a painful disorder that occurs when the endometrial tissues that line the uterus (endometrium) grow outside the uterus, usually on the ovaries, bowels, and pelvic tissues. The fluctuations of the hormones that thicken and shreds the endometrium during the menstrual cycle will also do the same on the misplaced endometrial tissue, this causes the misplaced tissues to be inflamed and painful. Due to the odd place of growth, the shredded endometrial tissues can’t go out of the vagina during the menstrual period just as the ones in the uterus, it remains stuck in the pelvic area causing:
- Very painful menstruation.
- Scar formation.
- Fertility related problems.
- A Complication of organs.
Symptoms
- Pain after sexual intercourse.
- Infertility.
- Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period.
- Bleeding in between periods
- Lower back pain.
- Cramps one or two weeks around period.
- Bowel movement discomforts.
Stages Of Endometriosis.
1. Minimal: It is minimal when there are only small injuries on your ovary or shallow implant on your ovary.
2. Mild: This when they are small injuries and shallow implant on the pelvic lining and ovary.
3. Moderate: There will be a more deep implant on the ovary and pelvic lining.
4. Severe: There will be injuries on fallopian tubes and bowels, also deep implant on pelvic lining and ovaries.
Note: factors used to ascertain the stage are the location, depth, number, and size of the Endometrial implant.
Treatment Of Endometriosis.
1. Watchful waiting: This implies carefully watching without taking action.
2. Medication: There is no medication that offers a permanent cure for endometriosis. You will be given medication that will manage the condition, this includes, pain relievers, drugs that will control the hormones the help it grows.
3. Surgery: Electrosurgery and laparoscopic surgery will be conducted.