What is endometriosis?
It is a condition related to endometrium tissue , which is the inside layer of the uterus. It is the pathological presence of endometric tissue anywhere else in the woman’s body but in its natural anatomical position.
Just as the inner part of the uterus bleeds during menstruation, random areas in the endometrium may also bleed, thus forming extra tissue. ( Scars or symphysis). The most common places to trace random endometric tissue are the pelvis and the instruments in the pelvic area. We also have rare misplacements of endometriosis in the liver in the lungs and in c-section scar.
It is a benign , non transmitted condition.
What are the symptoms?
The commonest symptom of this condition is abdominal pain, associated with menstruation. Despite the fact that many women experience cramps during their menstruation, women with endometriosis usually describe menstruation pain as much more severe than usually. They also tend to notice that the pain increases time after time.
Common symptoms of endometriosis may include:
- Painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea), pelvic pain and cramps which may begin right before your period and remain for quite a few days. Possible irritation in the lower part of the back and pain in the abdomen area.
- pain during sexual intercourse
- pain in the intestine or while urinating, during menstruation
- excessive bleeding. Occasional, heavy bleeding menstruations or bleeding in between menstruations.
- infertility. Endometriosis was first diagnosed in women with infertility issues.
There have also been cases when women witnessed fatigue, diarrhea, bloating, or motion sickness, especially during menstruation days.
It so happens that women with mild endometriosis, witness intense pain, whereas those experiencing more severe cases of endometriosis, witness minimum or no pain.
There are times when endometriosis is confused with inflammatory pelvic disease (PID) and irritable bowel syndrome. (IBS).
What about diagnosis?
The only way to fully diagnose this disease in its full spectrum, is diagnostic laparoscopy, which is a non-invasive diagnostic method.
Needless to say, more simplistic techniques should be preceded, which, however, can offer us only strong indications for endometriosis and not the final diagnosis.