What’s endometriosis?
What’s endometriosis?We start with the “endometrium” which is the mucous membrane that normally lines the inside of the uterus. During the menstrual cycle, it responds to hormones by thickening with blood vessels in preparation for pregnancy. Once this does not occur, it breaks down and becomes your period.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus. It can grow on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, the external surface of the uterus, and even the rectum, intestines, and urinary organs. The areas where the endometrium is growing abnormally are called implants.
The implants respond to hormones in the same way that the uterine lining does by thickening, breaking down, and shedding. However, since this is occurring outside the uterus, the tissue can become inflamed, irritated, and scarred. The areas of scar tissue are called adhesions. Adhesions can cause organs to stick together, which can be painful during and just before your period.
Endometriosis is fairly common, affecting around 10 percent of women in their childbearing years. Most patients are diagnosed between the ages of 30-40.
Symptoms of Endometriosis
Endometriosis usually feels like severe PMS symptoms, such as:
- Chronic pelvic cramping, especially before and during your period
- Heavy bleeding
- Painful intercourse
- Painful bowel movements or urination (if implants are affecting these organs)
Endometriosis can also cause fertility problems. It’s estimated that around 40 percent of women who have difficulty getting pregnant suffer from endometriosis. Inflammation of the ovaries and fallopian tubes may hurt the sperm or egg, and adhesions may cause the fallopian tubes to stick together and block the egg’s path to the uterus.
Diagnosing Endometriosis
If you’re experiencing pain and heavy bleeding, make an appointment with us for an examination. Many different conditions present with similar symptoms. At your appointment, we will go your your medical history and perform a physical and pelvic exam.
The only way to diagnose endometriosis with certainty is to take a look at your pelvic organs with surgery. A laparoscopy is a surgical procedure in which a thin, flexible, lighted instrument is inserted through a small incision in the abdomen. The doctor may take a biopsy of the tissue for further testing.
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There are a few different treatments available for endometriosis. You and your doctor will have a discussion about the best course of treatment for you based on the severity of your symptoms and your plans to bear children in the future.
Pain medication
Pain and cramping associated with endometriosis can be managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). You can buy these over-the-counter or your doctor can give you prescription-strength medications.
Hormonal therapies
Many women successfully treat endometriosis with birth control pills, GnRH agonists, and progestin medications. These treatments won’t cure endometriosis or remove the existing tissue, but it can reduce the growth of new tissue and prevent adhesions from forming.
Surgery
Women who are trying to get pregnant might elect to have their endometrial implants surgically treated. This can break up scarring and improve fertility. It can also reduce pain, but some women report that their pain has returned within a few years after the procedure. Combining surgery with hormone therapies seem to work best to combat both pain and fertility problems.
Hysterectomy
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries. Removing the ovaries significantly reduces the chance that the pain will come back after surgery. A hysterectomy is typically only used as a last resort, because after the procedure, you will no longer have a period or be able to become pregnant.