Endometriosis is a common condition, affecting up to 10% of women in the reproductive age group.
Endometriosis involves growth of endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines your uterus) outside of the uterus. Most commonly, endometriosis occurs in the pelvis and around the uterus and may affect the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The abnormally located endometrial tissue responds to female hormones each month and this causes inflammation and commonly pain. In severe forms, endometriosis can cause adhesions between the female reproductive organs and other structures such as the bowel.
There is a lot of information and increasing publicity about endometriosis. I recently found an interesting article that lists 10 things you should know about endometriosis:
Here’s 10 things you should know about endometriosis
1. Endometriosis can affect any woman of child-bearing age (it is rare in women who have been through the menopause)
2. Symptoms include: pelvic pain, heavy periods, bladder and bowel problems, fatigue, depression, pain during or after sexual intercourse, problems conceiving and difficulty fulfilling professional and social commitments. (NB: some women don’t experience any symptoms at all).
3. Any pain experienced often correlates to your menstrual cycle, but not always. Equally, the severity of pain experienced does not always correlate to the amount of scar tissue present, the pain is more dependent on where the abnormal tissue is located.
4. There is currently no cure, no proven cause or known way of preventing endometriosis.
5. There are some ways to manage symptoms. These include: pain relief, complementary therapies, hormone treatment and surgery. The best course of action will be recommended depending on the patient’s age, severity of the disease and desire to have children.
6. The only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy – a small operation that involves inserting a camera into the pelvis via the belly button.
7. The disease can cause infertility. But 50% of women suffering from endometriosis will not experience any problems conceiving.
8. Endometriosis is not an infection and it is not contagious.
9. Some women experience relief from their symptoms during pregnancy but in many cases symptoms return along with a woman’s period. Pregnancy is not a cure for the disease.
10. Having a hysterectomy does not always cure endometriosis. It only treats the disease on the organs that were removed.
You can find more information on endometriosis at:
www.endometriosisaustralia.org
At GAALS, we have a special interest in the management of endometriosis. If you have a gynaecological concern and would like to see us, please call 1300 242 257 or click Contact on our website for further information.