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Endometriosis: causes, symptoms and treatments

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Endometriosis: causes, symptoms and treatments
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Few people have heard about endometriosis, a condition which affects only women and can lead to problems with infertility and very painful period pains.  However other symptoms can  also signal endometriosis and should be taken seriously so as to be correctly diagnosed.  

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis which only affects women is very difficult to diagnose as it can have many symptoms.  In total, around 10 – 15% of women who are of child-bearing age will be affected by this condition.  Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that lines the womb is found outside the womb.

Normally at the end of a period, part of the endometrium (the tissue that lines the womb) is released and then the tissue is rebuilt during the following menstrual cycle.  However for women who suffer from endometriosis fragments of this tissue which lines the womb can be found in the rectum, bladder, kidneys or even the lungs.  This can result in intense pain during periods.  The walls of the areas these cells attach themselves to can become damaged or growths can form causing this severe pain.

Endometriosis
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What are the symptoms?

The main symptom of endometriosis is severe period pain.  Normally period pains are frequent but irregular.  Pains are so extreme for some women that it can can prevent them from getting up or going to work. During their period these women have to stay in bed as the pain is so great.

Some also experience pain during or after sex. Severe pain during sex, also called dyspareunia, happens during penetration.  Pain can also appear in the stomach, back and even legs.

Some women who suffer from endometriosis can also have digestion problems from frequent stomach aches to diarrhea or constipation.  It is also possible to experience pain when going to the toilet so much so that some women refuse to go so they don’t have to suffer but instead leads to worrying constipation problems.  Peeing can also become an ordeal, as pain can be felt in the bladder and can cause burning sensations.

As a general rule, women who suffer from this condition also suffer from daily fatigue.  This chronic fatigue can last several months.  Women can also experience bouts of sickness and vomiting.

A worrying condition

As well as being very painful and constraining in day to day life, endometriosis can also lead to more serious problems.  Infertility is the most common problem which can affect up to 30 – 50% of women suffering from this condition.  Most of the time, endometriosis can be diagnosed after a fertility test.

How to diagnose the condition?

As there are many symptoms the condition is extremely difficult to diagnose.  It generally takes several years and tests before doctors are able to place a finger on all the symptoms.  Although there are doctors today who are specialised in endometriosis, women have to go through many exams which are tiresome.  As a result most women who suffer from endometriosis have to take ultrasounds of their uterus, MRI scans and sometimes a coelioscopy or even radio-logic tests of the Fallopian tube, also called Hysterosalpingography (HSG).

If you appear to have symptoms of endometriosis it is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible.  Currently there is no solution to cure this condition but there are some treatments which can relieve the worst symptoms.

How to treat the condition?

Treatments are prescribed to women without children or who have fertility issues and in severe cases of extreme pain. The treatment focuses on reducing the amount of unwanted tissue in the body.   Drugs are able to reduce the proliferation of these tissues due to their hormonal influence.

Hormonal treatments are prescribed first in the attempt to reduce bleeding and damaging areas.  In cases where the drug treatment is ineffective or depending on the patients desire to have a baby,  surgery may be considered. Women under 40 who want to have a child can opt for surgery which involves removing endometrium tissues with a laser.

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