Endometriosis is a painful condition in which the endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus) is found on other organs of the body like the ovaries and fallopian tubes.
Women with endometriosis suffer pains and sometimes have difficulty getting pregnant. It is most common in women of reproductive age and rare in girls before they start their period. There are available treatments that can help.
Endometriosis usually appears on the lower abdomen although, it can appear in any other place. Some women have a symptom; others may not. Some symptoms are:
Having symptoms of endometriosis can have a big impact on your life. Diagnosing it can be difficult but discussing with your doctor will help. They may recommend treatments or refer you to a gynaecologist.
Further tests like an ultrasound scan or Laparoscopy is an excellent way to diagnose endometriosis.
Endometriosis currently has no cure, but treatments can significantly ease the symptoms. Treatments include:
Your doctor can best advise you on what to do.
Infertility is one major complication of endometriosis. Surgical treatment of endometriosis can aid your chances of conception although it is not a guarantee. It could further lead to issues like infections, bleeding or damage to affected organs.
Since the cause of endometriosis is unknown, some of the suggested causes are:
Endometriosis is not completely explained by these causes. Thus, a combination of varying factors is responsible for it.
Endometriosis can be difficult to treat and has no known cure but, treatments are given to lower the symptoms and provide relief.
Treatment also:
You will get comprehensive information on all available treatments from your gynaecologist. Choosing which is best for you depends on:
Since endometriosis often gets better on its own but can worsen if untreated, it’s opined that you hold off treatment if symptoms are mild and commence it once they get worse.
Pain Medication
Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen or naproxen sodium (Aleve) can reduce your pains. They are available in pharmacies and have no side effect. If you’re not planning to get pregnant, your doctor may recommend a combination of hormone therapy and pain relievers.
Let your doctor know if you’ve been taking pain relievers without any relief.
Hormone treatment
Hormone medications lower or stops oestrogen production; oestrogen helps endometriosis to thrive. This treatment cannot improve fertility. Some hormone therapies include:
Discuss the different side effects of this treatment with your doctor. Hormone treatment has no permanent effect on your fertility.
Progestogens
These are synthetic hormones that act like the natural hormone progesterone. They include the Mirena intrauterine system; contraceptive injection; contraceptive implant; progestogen-only-pill (POP). Some side effects of these are bloating, weight gain, etc.
Surgery
Surgical procedures like Laparoscopy and Hysterectomy can be used depending on the tissue location. Discuss associated risks with your doctor.
Laparoscopy
This procedure uses a laparoscope and heat devices to destroy endometriosis tissue through incisions made in your tummy. It’s also called keyhole surgery.
Laparoscopy also destroys ovarian cysts and patients are induced to feel no pain.
This method is effective in improving fertility but to avoid recurrence, hormone treatment should be taken before and after surgery.
Hysterectomy
This treatment is best when all others have failed, and you have no plans to get pregnant. It treats endometriosis by removing the womb. It’s a major operation that should be well discussed with your doctor. Hysterectomy is irreversible, and endometriosis can return if the ovaries are not removed.
This risk can be reduced by using a combined course of HRT (oestrogen and progesterone), but it can increase the risk of breast cancer. Consult your doctor for the best treatment option.
Gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogues: Synthetic hormones that reduce oestrogen production and amount of endometrial tissue. Use contraception while using them.
Complementary therapies like traditional Chinese medicine have no evidence of treating endometriosis.
Endometriosis-infected women can experience several complications
Fertility issues
Endometriosis is linked to infertility because it is assumed to damage the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Some women in spite of this can still get pregnant. For others unable to conceive, IVF may be recommended.
Adhesions and Ovarian cysts
Adhesions in women are sticky areas of endometriosis tissue capable of joining organs together.
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs on the ovaries causing pain
Learn how ovarian cysts are treated
Surgery complications
It can be less serious like:
More serious like:
Have a comprehensive knowledge of surgery from your doctor before you undergo it.
Bladder and bowel problems
This complication arises when the bladder or bowel is infected by endometriosis. It may be difficult to treat thus, surgery come in handy. Surgical procedures could involve cutting away part of the bladder. In the meantime, a urinary catheter may be provided to assist you pee after the surgery.
For bowel, a colostomy is used in the interim for collecting waste.