Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common condition in women, and it causes painful symptoms and might lead to severe complications, such as infertility.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when an abnormal tissue, similar to the uterine lining, grows in other places outside the uterus.

The uterine lining is the tissue that covers the inside of the uterus and it’s the tissue that shreds during the menstrual period and causes the bleeding. Endometriosis acts like the normal uterine lining, and it interacts with the hormones. It also shreds and bleeds during the menstrual period.

Usually, endometriosis grows outside and back of the uterus, on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and pelvic lining. Sometimes, endometriosis can grow in other places, such as the bladder, ureters, intestines, rectum, and diaphragm.

This condition occurs in about 15-30% of women before menopause and represses after the menopause, and it usually manifests between the ages of 25 and 40.

Causes and risk factors leading to endometriosis

There isn’t a clear cause for endometriosis. Some possible causes include:

• Retrograde menstruation, which means that the menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body.
• The transforming of the peritoneal cells in the abdomen lining into cells that are similar to the ones in the uterine lining due to hormonal and immune factors.
• The transforming of embryonic cells into cells that are similar to the ones in the uterine lining due to hormonal changes.
• Surgical scar complications, such as c-section.
• The transfer of the endometrial cells through the blood stream.

The risk factors include:

• Family history.
• Nulliparity (not giving birth).
• Obstructive malformations in the genital tract.
• Starting the menstrual period at an early age.
• Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period that lasts more than 7 days.
• Starting the menopause at an older age.
• Short menstrual cycles (less than 27 days).
• High estrogen levels.
• Low body mass index (BMI).

Symptoms of endometriosis

Some cases might not experience any symptoms, which include the following:

• Extreme pain during menstrual periods, especially in the abdomen and the lower back.
• Heavy bleeding during the menstrual period or light bleeding (spotting) between the periods.
• Pain during urination or defecating.
• Pain during sex.
• Difficulty getting pregnant.
• Endometriosis might lead to infertility and, sometimes, cancer.
• If left untreated, endometriosis might lead to cysts and adhesions.

Diagnosis of endometriosis

• Physical examination.
• Imaging tests.
• Laparoscopy.
• Biopsy.

Management of endometriosis

• Painkillers.
• Hormonal medications.
• Surgery might be necessary in some cases, and certain severe cases might require hysterectomy.