This is a condition in women where tissue that lines the inner wall of the womb is found in deposits outside of the womb. This may be on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, rectum, outside wall of the uterus or any other part in the pelvic area.
The reason why women develop endometriosis is unknown. Symptoms develop due to the nature endometrial tissue and it’s response to hormones. Just as the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) grows and breaks off during the monthly cycles, the abnormally implanted endometrial tissue of endometriosis grows and may break off during the cycle. This causes severe pains often associated with menses.
Symptoms include lower abdominal pain which may be during periods, before and during periods, in between periods, pain during sex, painful urination and pain during bowel movements. Symptoms are often worst during periods with excruciating period pains. In some cases endometriosis may reduce the chances of falling pregnant. Having these symptoms however does not mean that one does have endometriosis as there may be other disease processes which may mimic these symptoms. It is important to be able to describe your symptoms to your doctor in order to help diagnosing appropriately.
This is not a straight forward diagnosis to make and there are no specific tests to prove presence of disease. It is a condition often diagnosed based on symptoms. In advanced disease however, the endometriosis may form what’s called an endometrioma which will be visible on ultrasound. The only certain way to prove the presence of disease is during surgery which is often done laparoscopically (through a camera)
Treatment of symptoms associated with endometriosis can be a huge challenge. Treatment includes pain medication which improves pain symptoms, contraceptive pills, and other medications that take away monthly periods. Depending on severity of disease, the treatment described may provide relief or may be of little improvement. Surgery may be done in the form of laparoscopy with removal of abnormally implanted endometrial tissue.
This information here provides some insight on a broad aspect of the disease and may not answer patient specific questions. Factors like the desire for fertility and the stage of disease play a big role in treatment methods. It is important to talk to your doctor about your symptoms and what you would like to be achieved so that treatment can be given to patient satisfaction.
