In India, Endometriosis is estimated to affect 26 million women, and according to many studies, laparoscopy diagnoses Endometriosis in between 34% and 48% of Indian women. In addition, the percentage of infertile women with Endometriosis ranges between 20 and 50 percent. This asks for an early diagnosis, and you can visit the best gynecology hospital in Hyderabad and ensure your health and any risk of Endometriosis in the future.
Endometriosis derives its name from the term “endometrium.” It is a disease in which endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, is discovered outside the uterus. Endometriosis typically affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, peritoneum, and the pelvis’s tissue. Rarely the endometrium may be seen outside the region where the pelvic organs are situated, including the lungs, rectum, intestines, bladder, ureters, and scars.
This tissue has the chance to grow into lesions or scar tissue, bleed irregularly, and trigger a chain reaction of inflammation. As a result, Endometriosis is common in infertile women and can cause excruciating pelvic and digestive pain. Endometriosis is discovered in 4 out of 10 infertile women.
What are the Types of Endometriosis?
Endometriosis can develop in a girl as soon as she experiences her first period. But most women are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 35. Depending on where it occurs, Endometriosis disease can be divided into three groups:
Superficial Peritoneal Lesion
Endometriosis of this type is the most common. In this condition, the peritoneum, a thin coating that lines the pelvic cavity, has lesions.
Endometrioma (Ovarian Lesion)
In this, “chocolate cysts” are dark, fluid-filled endometriosis ovarian cysts. They develop deep inside your ovaries, don’t respond well to therapy, and can cause damage to good tissue.
Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis
This type grows beneath your peritoneum and may affect the bowels, bladder, or other organs close to your uterus. It influences between 1 and 5 percent of women with Endometriosis.
Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms can differ from person to person. While some women experience severe symptoms, others experience none or very mild symptoms. Below are a few common symptoms of Endometriosis:
- Painful Periods
- Painful cramps, 1 to 2 weeks before menstruation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between period cycle
- Infertility
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Unpleasant bowel motions
- Lower back discomfort throughout your menstrual cycle
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Existence of blood in stool or urine
- Weakness
- Sickness or swelling
The intensity of the endometriosis signs and symptoms cannot indicate your issue’s severity. Even if the symptoms are mild, you may still be in excruciating pain. You can get the best understanding of symptoms with a simple online search for a good gynecologist near me and avoid any health or period-related issues.
What are the Causes of Endometriosis?
Unfortunately, Endometriosis causes are unknown to medical professionals. There are several ideas, but it’s crucial to remember that none is perfect. In addition, research is still being done to determine what triggers the growth of this external tissue. Although the precise cause of Endometriosis is unknown, the following factors may contribute:
Retrograde Menstruation
In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood that contains endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity without leaving the body. These endometrial cells adhere to the pelvic organs’ surfaces and walls, where they grow throughout each menstrual cycle, thickening and bleeding.
Conversion of Peritoneal Cells
The “induction theory” is used to describe this. According to experts, hormones or immunological factors promote the conversion of peritoneal cells into endometrial cells.
Embryonic Cell Conversion
According to a study, estrogen hormones may transform embryonic cells into endometrial-like cells.
Surgical Scar Implantation
Endometrial cells may attach to an incision following surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section.
Endometrial Cell Transportation
Endometrial cells can be transported to different bodily areas through the lymphatic or blood systems.
Immune System Disease
Immune system dysfunction can prevent the body from recognizing and eliminating endometrial-like tissue that is developing outside the uterus.
Risk Factors
Even though Endometriosis is not your fault, some factors increase your risk of getting it. Risk elements consist of:
- Having Endometriosis in your mother, sister, or daughter.
- Having an early period (before age 11).
- a menstrual cycle of fewer than 27 days.
- Long Periods
- Being inactive.
Endometriosis Diagnosis
Based on your symptoms, your doctor could think you have Endometriosis. They can do tests like the following to verify it:
Pelvic Test: The doctor will be able to feel any cysts or scars behind the uterus with the use of this test.
Imaging Tests: This includes imaging tests like ultrasonography, CT scans, and MRIs that can produce detailed images of your organs.
Endometriosis Biopsy: In this, the doctor collects a tissue sample. To confirm the diagnosis, a specialist examines it under a microscope after that.
Laparoscopy: Typically, there is no other way to be sure if the patient has Endometriosis. During this process, the doctor makes a tiny slit in the abdomen and inserts a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera. It enables the doctor to see the lesions’ location and size.
How to Treat Endometriosis?
You may find these signs and symptoms intolerable or uncomfortable, and you wish to get rid of them as quickly as possible. However, if you don’t get endometriosis treatment for the discomfort, it might be challenging to plan your daily activities or future family. Although Endometriosis has no known cure, its symptoms can be controlled.
Medicine for Pain
Doctors can suggest Painkiller medications. Ibuprofen and naproxen are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications that have been effective for many people. However, you can inquire about other alternatives if drugs do not relieve your pain.
Hormonal Therapy
Hormonal therapy can halt periods and helps the body produce less estrogen. This makes lesions less likely to bleed, which slows the growth of swelling, scarring, and cysts.
Surgeries
Doctors could advise undergoing surgery to remove more of the damaged tissue as possible. Laparoscopy is a procedure used to treat this problem that involves making a small incision in the belly and has a rapid recovery period. In addition, it might help in the Endometriosis diagnosis.
Another surgery used to remove tumors and scar tissue is laparotomy. However, due to the larger incision, recovery will take longer in this case.
In the most severe instances, a patient might undergo a hysterectomy surgery. Where the uterus, cervix, and ovaries are removed from the body. Yet, without them, women are unable to conceive in the future.
The Final Word
It’s essential to have regular, complete gynecological exams so your doctor can keep track of any changes. This is particularly necessary if you experience two or more symptoms. Endometriosis is a common problem for women. However, researchers believe this makes people underestimate the actual number of women with the condition.
Many women are misdiagnosed with another disorder and are still waiting for a diagnosis. Most of them think the symptoms were a part of the menstrual cycle. In addition, many women are not diagnosed until they undergo surgery for some other condition. It takes the average woman 7.5 years to get a correct diagnosis of Endometriosis. The only way to confirm Endometriosis is through a surgery called a laparoscopy.
