Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment
Written by Shaveta Arora
Discover the symptoms, treatment options, and management strategies for endometriosis. Learn about pain relief, hormone therapy, surgery, lifestyle changes, and more to effectively manage this condition.
Endometriosis is a condition when tissue that normally lines your uterus grows outside of the uterus. At the end of the cycle, this tissue will disintegrate and bleed much like ordinary uterine tissue does but the blood has nowhere to go. This could result in swelling up or irritation in the nearby areas. Scar tissue and lesions could be present. The condition is most prevalent in the ovaries.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The main symptom of Endometriosis is pelvic pain, which is frequently related to menstruation. Although many women suffer cramps throughout their periods, individuals who have Endometriosis often have more severe menstrual pain than usual. Over time, pain may potentially get worse. The typical symptoms of Endometriosis are:
- Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea): Before and for a few days after a period, pelvic pain and cramps are common. Lower back and stomach ache are also possible.
- Pain During Intercourse: Endometriosis often causes pain during or after sex.
- Pain With Bowel and Bladder Movement: These symptoms are most likely to occur during a menstrual period.
- Excessive Bleeding: You might occasionally have extremely heavy menstrual cycles or intermenstrual bleeding.
- Infertility: In an event a person seeks therapy for infertility, Endometriosis is occasionally discovered for the first time.
- Other Symptoms: Lethargy, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea are common, particularly during menstrual cycles.
It's possible that how much pain you're in doesn't always indicate how serious your disease is. Endometriosis can be mild and painful, or it might be advanced and hardly or not at all painful.
Diagnosis of Endometriosis
A diagnosis of Endometriosis often begins with your symptoms. You may decide to contact your doctor in case you have painful or heavy periods. In a situation where you first arrive for your consultation, your doctor (usually an OB-Gyn) may ask you about your personal medical history, any prior pregnancies, and whether anybody else in your family has Endometriosis.
Your doctor might perform a pelvic exam as well. An ultrasound will likely be performed first, followed by pelvic imaging, if your healthcare provider needs more information. An MRI may also be prescribed for additional Endometriosis mapping, depending on your symptoms, the results of the physical examination, and the ultrasound results.
It is feasible to do a laparoscopy for a definitive diagnosis and to explore treatment alternatives. During laparoscopy technique, a biopsy (a tiny tissue sample) may be collected. A lab will receive the biopsy to verify the diagnosis.
Endometriosis can occasionally be discovered by chance as not every Endometriosis patient doesn't experience its symptoms. In certain circumstances, your doctor may find the disease while doing some other operation.
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Treatment and Management of Endometriosis
Endometriosis has no treatment options. Medication or surgery are usually used as treatments.
Pain Relieving Medications
A painkiller available over the counter may be suggested by your doctor. Many people find success with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve). Ask your doctor about other possibilities if they don't help you feel better.
Hormone Therapy
Hormonal therapy can halt your menstruation and reduce the amount of oestrogen your body produces. Lesions bleed less as a result, resulting in decreased swelling, scarring, and cyst development. Typical hormones consist of:
- Progestin-only contraceptives
- Danazol (Danocrine)
- Birth control pills, patches, and also vaginal rings
- Agonists and antagonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH), like leuprolide (Lupron) and elagolix sodium (Orilissa).
Surgery
Your doctor can advise you to undergo a surgery in order to remove the most afflicted tissue. Surgery may alleviate discomfort in some circumstances and increase your chance of becoming pregnant. Your doctor may perform a normal surgery with larger cuts or a laparoscope. Sometimes pain returns after surgery also.
In the worst scenarios, you might require a hysterectomy procedure to remove your ovaries, uterus, and cervix. However, you cannot become pregnant later on without them.
Lifestyle Changes
The discomfort associated with Endometriosis can be quickly relieved with warm baths, hot water bottles, and heating pads. Following the below given changes in your lifestyle over time may also be helpful:
Exercise regularly
Exercise is an excellent approach to manage your Endometriosis. Exercise improves circulation, encourages your heart to pump blood to all of your organs, and facilitates the passage of nutrients and oxygen to all of your systems.
Exercise-related estrogen reduction and lighter periods may help people with Endometriosis symptoms become better over time. But that's not all, research has indicated that the more time you spend engaging in vigorous activity, such as jogging or biking, the less probable it is that you will ever have Endometriosis.
Manage stress
According to researchers, stress may exacerbate Endometriosis. Actually, because of the excruciating pain and other side symptoms of the illness, it may be the root of your stress.
You can lessen symptoms by finding techniques to manage stress, whether it be through yoga, meditation, or simply scheduling time for self-care. Moreover, visiting a therapist who can provide stress management advice may be beneficial.
FAQs
What is the main cause of endometriosis?
The most likely cause for endometriosis is retrograde menstrual flow. Some of the tissue shed during the menstrual cycle might enter other parts of the body, including the pelvic, thanks to the fallopian tube. inherited traits. Endometriosis may be inherited due to the fact that it runs in families.
Is endometriosis curable?
Endometriosis cannot currently be cured, however there are treatments available for the discomfort and infertility it causes. In a situation while selecting the appropriate course of action for endometriosis symptoms, medical professionals take into account a number of criteria.
Can endometriosis be removed naturally?
There is presently no treatment for the painful condition of endometriosis. However, some natural therapies, including heat and specific nutrients, may help you feel better.
Can I get pregnant with endometriosis?
Most women with endometriosis are capable of becoming pregnant. Your odds of becoming pregnant with endometriosis can be high, depending on the severity of your problem, age, general health, and treatment options, even while it may make it more difficult to conceive on your own.
At what age does endometriosis stop?
A prevalent health issue affecting 11% of girls between the ages of 15 and 44 is endometriosis. Period pain and chronic pelvic pain are the most typical symptoms.
Are endometriosis and PCOS related?
Both endometriosis and PCOS are concomitant conditions. In fact, a 2015 study found that women with PCOS have a higher prevalence of endometriosis diagnosis. An endometriosis and PCOS-related pelvic pain and/or problems getting pregnant were significantly correlated, according to a 2014 study.