Endometriosis is a disease that affects the uterine lining causing pain, discomfort, excessive bleeding, and even infertility.
Endometrial tissue is on the outside of the uterus and acts as a liningaroundthe area. During menstruation the thickened lining sheds off and is discharged. A woman with endometriosis experiences excessive growth of the endometrial tissue in other parts of the body, like the abdomen. Endometriosis may develop into scar tissue that builds up around the organs.
Some of the most common symptoms that occur in women with endometriosis all include pain. Some women experience severe pain during their monthly periods. This pain may include lower abdominal and pelvic cramps during, before and immediately following menstruation. Women may also experience pain during bowel movements, during and following sex, and at any time of the month throughout the menstrual cycle. Sometimes the pain may be debilitating while at other times it may be somewhat manageable with the help of pain relievers.
In rare cases of severe endometriosis, women experience no pain at all. The doctors cannot explain why this is so, but emphasize the importance of having routine annual examinations for prevention.
There are several options for treating endometriosis, but most are contingent on age, your future plans for children, the severity of the symptoms, and the severity of the disease. Symptoms can be managed through careful consultation and routine exams with a doctor. Most women suffering from endometriosis find solace in having regular examinations every year for monitoring.
Non-surgical treatments include pain medication as well as hormone therapy. Some doctors prescribe pain relievers such as ibuprofen or codeine enhanced drugs. Hormone therapy may involve taking birth control pills which work to shrink some of the endometrial growth. Other non-surgical treatments may include lifestyle modifications such as changes in diet and nutrition or the implementation of exercise into the daily regime.
For women with severe symptoms of the disease surgical treatments are available. Surgeries may include laparoscopy or hysterectomy. The laparoscopy surgery is done with a laser and is less invasive as the hysterectomy. A hysterectomy typically involves the removal of one or both ovaries. Hormone therapy is required following surgery.