Endometriosis is a condition where tissues that behave like cells found in the lining of the endometrium (uterus) grow in other parts of the body. This normally causes irregular bleeding, possible infertility and pain. The tissue usually grows outside the uterus, in the pelvic area, bowel, ovaries, bladder, and rectum. They can occur in other parts of the body too.
There are several causes of endometriosis. A woman’s ovaries produces hormones that stimulate the cells found in the uterine lining to prepare for the arrival of a fertilized egg. This results in the lining swelling and gets thicker. When these cells grow outside the uterus, they cause this disease. Instead of being shed like the ones that are found in the uterus, this ones stay in place. They sometime bleed when the woman is getting her monthly period and heal after a while until the next menstrual cycle. This process normally causes scars on the tubes and ovaries, and pain.
There is no particular known cause of this disease, but there are several theories that have resulted from extensive research.
One of the theories states that cells that are loosened when a woman is having her menstruation period move back up through the fallopian tube and into the pelvis. Here, they implant themselves and grow into abdominal cavities or pelvic. However, this type of menstruation happens to most women but not all of them get this disease. The difference between those who suffer from this disease and those who do not is how well their immune system works.
This disease is mostly diagnosed in women between the ages of 25 and 30 years. It is however believed that the condition starts immediately the woman starts her menstrual cycle. The disease is also believed to be hereditary.
Some of the common causes of this disease are:
• Never giving
• Starting menstruation at a very early
• Menstrual periods that go for more than seven days
• A closed hymen which normally blocks the menstrual flow
• Frequent menstrual flow
There are a number of tell tale signs that we can watch out for and find out whether we are suffering from this condition. The most general symptom is pain, especially in the lower abdomen and pelvic that last for a week or two before the menstruation.
Pain during menstruation is also another symptom. Pain during or after intercourse or during bowel movements are indicators. A lower back pain when the woman is having her menstrual period is also noted.
However, there are no particular symptoms for this disease; some women suffering from it actually experience no pain at all or very mild if there.
There are several treatment options available to patients suffering from this disease including medications to stop the endometriosis from worsening, to control pain, hysterectomy to remove both ovaries, and surgery to remove areas of endometriosis.
These treatment options depend on age, how severe the symptoms are, severity of the disease, and whether the woman is planning to have children in future or not. Those women who want to have children sometimes opt for other means like relaxation and exercise techniques and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and prescription pain killers to relieve the pain. They will have to visit the doctor for check up for every 6-12 months to ensure the condition is not getting worse.
