Commonly dismissed as “heavy menstruation” or often misdiagnosed as PCOS, Endometriosis can be described as an invisible illness. On the outside, a woman may not seem to have any prominent or unusual symptoms, but inside, she feels limited and challenged in many ways. How limited you ask? As limited as one of the most painful conditions in the world can make one feel!
Endometriosis is defined by lesions throughout the body that cause an inflammatory condition in the body. As a part of this inflammatory condition, tissue similar to the lining of the womb begins to grow outside in other parts of the body. Commonly, endometriosis is found in and around the pelvis, but it can also be seen in the bowel, bladder and even as far as the lungs and brain. This chronic disease affects an estimated 1 in 10 women worldwide.
Endometriosis can start during a woman’s first menstrual period and last until her menopause. It is even known to challenge fertility and make pregnancy difficult. The cause of endometriosis is unknown and so are its preventative measures. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery.
- Fatigue.
- Pain that stops you on or around your period.
- Pain on or around ovulation.
- Pain during or after sex.
- Pain with bowel movements.
- Pain when you urinate.
- Pain in your pelvic region, lower back or legs.
- Having trouble holding on when you have a full bladder or having to go frequently.
- Heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding.
A careful history of menstrual symptoms and chronic pelvic pain provides the basis for suspecting endometriosis. Ultrasonography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required to detect. Histologic verification, usually following surgical/laparoscopic visualization, can be useful in confirming diagnosis.
With the help of social media and women vocalizing their experiences, those suffering from endometriosis have found an active forum, which fuels discourse on the management of this painful, chronic disease. It is through this forum that the significant social, public health, and economic implications of endometriosis have come to light.
Some individuals experience crippling pain owing to endometriosis, preventing them from going to work or school. This results in a direct decline in quality of life due to severe pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety and infertility. While pain in everyday activities can be somewhat openly discussed, many individuals are embarrassed to share the physical impediments they face in their sexual health. Painful sex due to endometriosis can lead to interruption or avoidance of intercourse and affect the sexual health of affected individuals and their partners.
Based on the severity of symptoms and whether a woman desires to be go through a pregnancy, treatments to manage endometriosis can vary. Having said that, at present, no treatment can completely cure the disease.
A range of medications, such as, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics (painkillers) like ibuprofen and naproxen, can help manage endometriosis and its symptoms. Hormonal medicines like GnRH-analogues and contraceptive (birth control) methods can also help control pain. Although known to help with disease management, treatment courses including pills, hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs), vaginal rings, implants, injections, and patches, are not suitable for women wanting to get pregnant.
Furthermore, surgery is sometimes used to remove endometriosis lesions, adhesions and scar tissues. Laparoscopic surgery (using a small camera to visualize inside the body) allows doctors to keep incisions small.
Discuss your treatment options with a healthcare provider at neo-Woman.
Treatments are based on individual preferences and effectiveness, side effects, long-term safety, costs and availability. Some treatments are associated with side effects, and endometriosis-related symptoms can sometimes reappear after therapy ends. The choice of treatment depends on effectiveness in the individual, adverse side effects, long-term safety, costs, and availability. Most current hormonal management is not suitable for persons suffering from endometriosis who wish to get pregnant, since they affect ovulation.
Success in reducing pain symptoms and increasing pregnancy rates through surgery are often dependent on the extent of disease. In addition, lesions may recur even after successful eradication, and pelvic floor muscle abnormalities can contribute to chronic pelvic pain. Secondary changes of the pelvis, including the pelvic floor, and central sensitization may benefit from physiotherapy and complementary treatments in some patients. Treatment options for infertility due to endometriosis include laparoscopic surgical removal of endometriosis, ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF), but success rates vary.
Raising awareness can help people to be diagnosed early. Early treatment can slow or halt the natural progression of the disease and reduce the long-term symptoms.
In addition to talking to their doctor, people may find additional advice and emotional assistance in local patient support groups.
