Endometriosis
During each menstrual cycle, after the period is over, the uterus begins to prepare for pregnancy. During this period, the uterine lining, also known as the endometrium, begins to thicken and become rich in nutrients and blood. When fertilization does not occur, the uterine lining along with the egg also falls off and is removed from the body.
In a woman with endometriosis, the endometrial tissue (uterine lining) grows outside the uterus. Typically, it forms around the ovaries, fallopian tubes and your pelvic tissues. Very rarely, endometriosis occurs outside the pelvic area.
Elsewhere, the endometrial tissue also acts as a lining of the uterus. They begin to harden with nutrients and blood. However, when it is shed, it cannot find a way to exit the body. Endometriosis is a very painful experience for women, especially during periods.
Women with the following conditions are at higher risk for endometriosis:
- Adolescence at a young age
- Menopause in adulthood
- Low menstrual cycles
- High levels of estrogen
- Low body mass index
- Alcohol consumption
- Inheritance
- An ancillary medical condition that prevents the elimination of menstruation
- Abnormalities in the uterus
The exact cause of endometriosis is not yet known but some causes:
Retrograde (backflow) menstruation: In this case, menstruation flows back into the fallopian tubes without leaving the body. Displaced blood cells attach to the pelvic walls and grow in that area.
Embryonic cell transformation: Estrogen can convert cells into endometrial cells in the early stages of puberty.
Surgery: During surgeries such as cervical surgery and c-section, endometrial cells are displaced by surgical incisions.
Autoimmune problems: The body becomes confused between endometrial cells and normal cells and destroys them.
Symptoms of endometriosis:
The primary symptom of endometriosis is chronic pelvic pain. Other features:
- Excessive pain during menstruation
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination
- Excessive bleeding during the menstrual cycle
- Infertility
- Especially nausea or vomiting during the menstrual cycle
Diagnosis of Endometriosis:
To diagnose endometriosis, several tests are performed.
Physical examination of the pelvis reveals the presence of cysts. Furthermore, ultrasound may be indicated to obtain more information about the reproductive organs. An MRI may be indicated to rule out intestinal endometriosis or adenomyosis coexistence.
Laparoscopy may be indicated for intestinal endometriosis and deep infiltrative endometriosis. Otherwise we may go with the nucleation of the endometriotic condition and also need a histological (tissue biopsy) test to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis.
Treatment of endometriosis:
Treatment of endometriosis depends on the stage of the disease and other personal and biological factors such as the desire of the child, the presence of nodules or cysts. Usually, surgery is performed, possibly in combination with hormone therapy. Endometriosis Ablation increases the chances of pregnancy. An important factor, when suffering from endometriosis, is planning early in pregnancy. Your specialist may prescribe advanced treatment based on certain factors such as the woman’s age and ovarian storage.
The increased number of attempts at IUI / IVF-ICSI treatments required to achieve conception is noteworthy.
We, at Giggles, strive to achieve the highest health care standards for women and children. Your team will make extraordinary efforts to provide the best treatment and care for you. We are well prepared to treat endometriosis and its complications. Our gynecology department is the best in Visakhapatnam.