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No one In this world is alone Strength Endometriosis Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that behaves like the cells lining the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body, causing pain, irregular bleeding, and possib
le infertility. The tissue growth (implant) typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Each month a woman's ovaries produce hormones that stimulate the cells of the uterine lining (endometrium) to multiply and prepare for a fertilized egg. If these cells (called endometrial cells) grow outside the uterus, endometriosis results. Unlike cells normally found in the uterus that are shed during menstruation, the ones outside the uterus stay in place. They sometimes bleed a little bit, but they heal and are stimulated again during the next cycle. This ongoing process leads to symptoms of endometriosis (pain) and can cause scars (adhesions) on the tubes, ovaries, and surrounding structures in the pelvis. The cause of endometriosis is unknown, but there are a number of theories. One theory is that the endometrial cells loosened during menstruation may "back up" through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis. Once there, they implant and grow in the pelvic or abdominal cavities. This happens in many women, but there may be something different about the immune system in women who develop endometriosis compared to those who do not get the condition. Endometriosis is a common problem. Sometimes, it may run in the family. Although endometriosis is typically diagnosed between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably begins about the time that regular menstruation begins. A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis is six times more likely to develop endometriosis than women in the general population. Other possible risk factors include:
•Starting menstruation at an early age
•Never having had children
•Frequent menstrual cycles
•Periods that last 7 or more days
•Problems such as a closed hyman, which blocks the flow of menstrual blood during the period
Symptoms
Pain is the main symptom for women with endometriosis. This can include:
•Painful periods
•Pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic cramps that can be felt for a week or two before menstruation
•Pain in the lower abdomen felt during menstruation (the pain and cramps may be steady and dull or severe)
•Pain during or following sexual intercourse
•Pain with bowel movements
•Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle
Note: Often there are no symptoms. In fact, some women with severe cases of endometriosis have no pain at all, whereas some women with mild endometriosis have severe pain. Signs and tests
Tests that are done to diagnose endometriosis include:
•Pelvic exam
•Transvaginal ultrasound
•Pelvic laparoscopy
Treatment
Treatment options include:
•Medications to control pain
•Medications to stop the endometriosis from getting worse
•Surgery to remove the areas of endometriosis
•Hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries
Treatment depends on the following factors:
•Age
•Severity of symptoms
•Severity of disease
•Whether you want children in the future
Some women who do not ever want children and have mild disease and symptoms may choose to just have regular exams every 6 - 12 months so the doctor can make sure the disease isn't getting worse. They may manage the symptoms by using:
•Exercise and relaxation techniques
•Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or prescription painkillers to relieve cramping and pain. Treatment may involve stopping the menstrual cycle and creating a state resembling pregnancy. This is called pseudopregnancy. It can help prevent the disease from getting worse. It's done using birth control pills containing estrogen and progesterone.
•You take the medicine continuously for 6 - 9 months before stopping the medicine for a week to have a period. Side effects include spotting of blood, breast tenderness, nausea, and other hormonal side effects.
•This type of therapy relieves most endometriosis symptoms, but it does not prevent scarring from the disease. It also does not reverse any physical changes that have already occurred. Another treatment involves progesterone pills or injections. Side effects may be bothersome and include depression, weight gain, and spotting of blood. Some women may be prescribed medicines that stop the ovaries from producing estrogen. These medicines are called gonadotropin agonist drugs and include nafarelin acetate (Synarel) and Depo Lupron.
•Potential side effects include menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, mood changes, and early loss of calcium from the bones.
•Because of the bone density loss, this type of treatment is usually limited to 6 months. In some cases, it may be extended up to 1 year if small doses of estrogen and progesterone are given to reduce the bone weakening side effects. Surgery is an option for women who have severe pain that does not improve with hormone treatment, or who want to become pregnant either now or in the future.
•Pelvic laparoscopy or laparotomy is done to diagnose endometriosis and then remove or destroy all of endometriosis-related tissue and scar tissue (adhesions).
•Women with severe symptoms or disease who do not want children in the future may have surgery to remove the uterus (hysterectomy). One or both ovaries and fallopian tubes may also be removed. One out of three women who do not have both of their ovaries removed at the time of hysterectomy will have their symptoms return and will need to have surgery at a later time to remove the ovaries.
