One in ten women who cannot conceive a baby has endometriosis; a condition usually characterized by abnormal painful periods and infertility issues.
The endometrium is the inner epithelial layer, along with its mucous membrane, of the mammalian uterus. A woman has endometriosis, when a tissue that lines the endometrium appears in areas outside the uterus, such as: the ova, the external surface of the uterus, the intestinal, the bladder and any other part of the uterus body.
Endometriosis occurs when areas outside the endometrium begin to behave like the mumps in the inner cavity of the uterus.
Endometriosis: Symptoms
Endometriosis causes irritated symptoms. The most common symptom is pelvic pain. Other common symptoms may include:
- Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms
- Dysmenorrhea
- Excessive bleeding
- Infertility
The condition usually occurs when the woman’s period start. It may remain undiagnosed for several years. Studies have shown that symptoms of endometriosis may occur up to 5 years prior to the diagnosis of the condition. Doctors suspect the appearance of endometriosis if the woman has dysmenorrhea, dyspnoea, and heterodimicity.
Endometriosis: Treatment
The treatment of endometriosis aims to ease symptoms. Moreover, the cause of its appearance is unknown. The doctor usually suggests:
- Painkillers
- Hormonal therapy
- Birth control pills
In any case, when the patient is experiencing severe ailments, has endometriological cotyledons in the oocytes or has fertility problems, a surgical procedure is recommended. Prior to surgery, it is essential to consider the patient’s age, her family’s medical history and whether she has already given birth or not. Based on these factors, the doctor will decide when the surgery can be done and which technique will be used. A laparoscopic surgery is usually performed to treat endometriosis. The surgeon removes endometriosis by laser or bipolar coagulation. If the problem is extensive, an open surgery may be required.
Dr Konstantinos Kostaras
Finead SA