Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments

Endometriosis is a disorder or condition that pertains of the formation of tissues outside the uterine activity that is similar to the tissue lining of the uterus, which is called endometrium. This occurs when the endometrial tissue grows outside the womb, usually on the ovaries, bowel, fallopian tube, and the tissue lining the pelvis. The chances of endometrial tissue spreading outside the pelvic region is very low but there’s still a possibility. An endometrial tissue that has grown outside the uterus is called endometrium implant.

Causes of Endometriosis

The exact cause of the condition remains unclear but there are certain explanations that can be considered as possible factors:

1. Immune System Disorder – If there’s a problem with a person’s immune system, the body will have difficulties in detecting and destroy cells that may form endometrial-like tissues outside the uterus.

2. Surgical Scar Implantation – After undergoing a C-section or hysterectomy, an endometrial cells may attach to an incision made from surgery.

3. Embryonic Cell Transformation – An embryonic cell may be transform into an endometrial-like cell implants due to hormones such as estrogen. This occurs during puberty.

4. Endometrial Cell Transport – The endometrial cells can be transported to other parts of the body through the tissue fluid (lymphatic) system or blood vessels.

Other factors include the transformation of the peritonean cells, and retrograde menstruation.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

The symptoms of Endometriosis may vary in women. Some may not experience any symptoms while others may feel severe ones such as dysmenorrhea and pelvic pain. Here are some of the common signs and symptoms of Endometriosis:

1. Infertility – Endometriosis is sometimes diagnosed for those who are seeking treatment for infertility.

2. Pain during Intercourse – It’s common for people who have endometriosis to feel pain while having sex.

3. Intense Pain during Periods – Cramping and pain in the pelvis may begin prior to and extend several days into menstruation. There is also a possibility of experiencing pain in the abdomen and lower back.

4. Intense bleeding – Those who have endometriosis may have occasional heavy menstruations or bleeding in between their periods or intermenstrual bleeding.

If you have endometriosis, you also feel and experience fatigue, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, or bloating during menstrual periods.

Risk Factors

There are several factors that may put a person into a higher possibility and risk of having endometriosis. This includes:

1. Heavy menstruation of more than seven days

2. Having a period at an early age

3. Menopause at an older age

4. Never giving birth

5. Low BMI or body mass index

6. Abnormalities in the reproductive tract

After the onset of a woman’s menstrual period, Endometriosis usually develops after several years. During pregnancy, the signs and symptoms of this condition may improve and may completely go away upon reaching menopause except those who are taking estrogen.

Treatment Options for Endometriosis

There’s still no cure for endometriosis. However, a simple “Dr. Office near me” on Google allows you to find a gynaecologist who can suggest the following treatments:

1. Pain Reliever – Taking pain-relievers or pain-relieving drugs can help reduce the pain associated with endometriosis.

2. Hormonal Treatment – This aims to reduce or stop ovulation making endometriosis to disappear or shrink.

3. Surgery – During a surgical procedure, the surgeon will remove the areas affected by endometriosis. Procedures suggested by a gynaecologist include laparoscopy and laparotomy.

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