Endometriosis
In endometriosis - endometrium like tissue forms outside of the uterus in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, bladder and bowel . In these other locations, the tissue develops into what are called “growths” or “implants.”
Like the lining of the uterus, endometriosis respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. They can build up tissue and shed each cycle causing bleeding.
The result of this bleeding and the immune problems that are part of endometriosis are the formation of scar tissue, pain, and other complications.
Endometriosis is thought to be caused by a retrograde flow of menstrual blood and tissue back through the fallopian tubes, into the pelvis, but this has not been proven.
There is no known cause of endo, but it is highly likely that certain genes predispose women to develop the diseases. Thus women have a higher risk of developing endo if their mother and / or sisters are also affected
Symptoms
Diagnosis
The symptoms of endometriosis overlap with a range of other gynaecological and gastrointestinal conditions – including IBS.
Women wait up to 12 years before a correct diagnosis of endometriosis is made.
A diagnosis of endometriosis is also sometimes made preemptively (based on history and symptoms) and treated empirically
However, severe symptoms often lead to more invasive investigations.
While transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound can accurately detect deep infiltrating endometriosis, most women with endometriosis have lesions that have only implanted superficially and these cannot be detected using ultrasound.
The Gold Standard method of diagnosing endometriosis is via laparoscopy (key-hole surgery) with histological confirmation
Endometriosis and Fertility
Studies indicate Women with endometriosis take longer to conceive and / or less likely to conceive than women in general.
Factors which may influence fertility:
Treatment
There is no cure of endometriosis
There is no one ‘best treatment’, as treatments work differently for individual women. You should be aware of the different kinds of treatments, and their possible side effects or complications.
A combination of treatments can be used to assist relieve the symptoms associated with endometriosis.
1. Medical treatments (medications)
2. Surgical treatments (involving an operation)
3. Allied treatments (nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, alternate medicine, etc)
In endometriosis - endometrium like tissue forms outside of the uterus in other areas of the body, such as the abdomen, bladder and bowel . In these other locations, the tissue develops into what are called “growths” or “implants.”
Like the lining of the uterus, endometriosis respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. They can build up tissue and shed each cycle causing bleeding.
The result of this bleeding and the immune problems that are part of endometriosis are the formation of scar tissue, pain, and other complications.
Endometriosis is thought to be caused by a retrograde flow of menstrual blood and tissue back through the fallopian tubes, into the pelvis, but this has not been proven.
There is no known cause of endo, but it is highly likely that certain genes predispose women to develop the diseases. Thus women have a higher risk of developing endo if their mother and / or sisters are also affected
Symptoms
- Back Pain
- Bloating
- Constipation
- Depression
- Diarrhoea
- Dysmenorrhea
- Excessive Bleeding
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Heavy menstruation
- Infertility
- Intense Cramps
- Nausea
- Painful periods
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- Pelvic pain
- Weight gain
Diagnosis
The symptoms of endometriosis overlap with a range of other gynaecological and gastrointestinal conditions – including IBS.
Women wait up to 12 years before a correct diagnosis of endometriosis is made.
A diagnosis of endometriosis is also sometimes made preemptively (based on history and symptoms) and treated empirically
However, severe symptoms often lead to more invasive investigations.
While transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound can accurately detect deep infiltrating endometriosis, most women with endometriosis have lesions that have only implanted superficially and these cannot be detected using ultrasound.
The Gold Standard method of diagnosing endometriosis is via laparoscopy (key-hole surgery) with histological confirmation
Endometriosis and Fertility
Studies indicate Women with endometriosis take longer to conceive and / or less likely to conceive than women in general.
Factors which may influence fertility:
- distorted anatomy of the pelvis
- adhesions
- scarred fallopian tubes
- inflammation of the pelvic structures
- altered immune system functioning
- changes in the hormonal environment of the eggs
- impaired implantation of a pregnancy
- altered egg quality.
Treatment
There is no cure of endometriosis
There is no one ‘best treatment’, as treatments work differently for individual women. You should be aware of the different kinds of treatments, and their possible side effects or complications.
A combination of treatments can be used to assist relieve the symptoms associated with endometriosis.
1. Medical treatments (medications)
2. Surgical treatments (involving an operation)
3. Allied treatments (nutrition, physiotherapy, psychology, alternate medicine, etc)
