Endometriosis
Endometriosis has been cast into the limelight on social media after many well-known celebrities like Bindi Irwin and Barbara Palvin Sprouse have shared their endometriosis diagnosis and all the struggles it has caused them. A common reaction that many women with endometriosis experiences having others consider their painful symptoms as being normal. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue that is normally part of the inner lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus. It commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvis.
Symptoms of Endometriosis include:
Painful periods.
Pain during and after intercourse.
Pain during urination or bowel movements.
Excessively heavy periods.
Bleeding between periods.
Infertility.
Risk Factors for Endometriosis include:
Family history of endometriosis.
Short menstrual cycles (27 days or less).
Long and heavy periods (8 days and longer).
Never giving birth.
Diagnosis:
There are 3 ways to diagnose endometriosis, but only one way is certain.
Physical exam: the doctor will perform a pelvic exam to see and feel the inside of the vagina. This could allow him or her to feel cysts or scars and detect tenderness.
Ultrasound: the doctor may perform a transvaginal or abdominal ultrasound. These ultrasounds may be able to find cysts associated with endometriosis.
Laparoscopy: This is the only certain way to diagnose endometriosis, and is a surgical procedure where a doctor uses a laparoscope with a camera to examine the pelvis. Endometriosis can be destroyed or removed through the scope.
Common Treatments:
Pain medications: doctors can direct patients with endometriosis to take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. Other over-the-counter pain medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Midol. If the pain is severe, doctors may prescribe stronger medications like hydrocodone or oxycodone.
Hormone therapy: different hormone therapy drugs can be used to ease the physical pain that endometriosis causes. Hormonal contraceptives can decrease the endometrial pain by altering the natural hormone cycles that fuel endometriosis. Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists can also be used to eliminate endometrial pain by blocking the menstrual cycle and putting the woman in a state akin to menopause. Neither of the above classes of hormonal treatments cure or eliminate endometriosis. Once they are stopped, the endometriosis returns. It is also important to note that birth control pills have been named a class 1 carcinogen by the World Health Organization and that inducing menopausal states can lead to osteoporosis and other complications.
Conservative Surgery: This removes endometriosis while at the same time aims to preserve the reproductive organs. Often, this is laparoscopic surgery where a surgeon creates small incisions and uses a laparoscope to view the reproductive organs and remove or destroy the endometriosis growth.
Hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries: This major surgery would remove the uterus and the ovaries andwould be as a last resort, as it would cause early menopause and render the woman infertile.
After years of women having their pain dismissed, endometriosis awareness in on the rise. If you suspect you could have endometriosis, contact COLFS Medical Clinic or your local PCP or OB/GYN.
