Endometriosis
The endometrium is a small mucosal lining inside the uterus that has as main feature the house when there’s egg fertilization. When this does occur, the endometrium shed ends up appearing in menstrual bleeding.
Occasionally, this tissue can also be found outside the uterus, which is known as ectopic endometrium. In some cases goes completely unnoticed, but others can cause major health problems and even lead to infertility. We speak of endometriosis, a disorder that still many unknowns.
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of endometrium outside the uterus, which is its natural place. Among those affected, most often, as indicated by M ª Ángeles Martínez, Ph.D. specialist in gynecology at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona, is that it “can be found in the ovaries or on the inner surface of the abdomen, but can also be placed in the rectum in other areas of the bowel, bladder or even more distant areas such as the lungs and even skin. ”
Although unaware of the causes of this disorder, many experts attribute to hormonal imbalances. In addition, they said the doctor, “it appears that there may be some inherited genetic predisposition” and that some alterations may also affect the immune system or the effect of environmental toxins.
However, this does not remove the fact that virtually any woman between menarche and menopause can suffer from this disease “is estimated to affect one in five women of childbearing age,” says Martinez. These data are not entirely accurate because many women are unaware that they suffer because they do not experience any symptoms.
Although sometimes the endometriosis can be asymptomatic, it can also cause serious injuries that may interfere with the quality of life of the patient. The expert explains that the main sign is pain, which according to the type it can help locate where the implant of endometriosis. This can manifest “as dysmenorrhea, severe pain with menstruation, dyspareunia or discomfort during sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain or problems with bowel movements.”
On the other hand, endometriosis can also be a decrease in fertility and, in severe cases, result in sterility. Furthermore, “can generate cysts in the ovary, known as ‘chocolate cysts’, formed as a result of accumulation of residual material in the ovary,” adds the expert, or may even produce the typical ailments of the body where is the endometrium.
That still does not know the origin of the disease, makes it impossible to prevent it. This causes many women are not properly diagnosed and living with untreated pain. Maria Angeles Martinez, remember that “there are risks and these are associated with symptoms that are suffering.”
Following this, after diagnosis, it is really important to put in the hands of a specialist who will choose the most appropriate treatment. “Medical treatment is aimed at controlling symptoms, so it is often prescribed as first-line anti-inflammatory treatment,” says Martinez. Similarly, it is also common hormonal contraceptives are prescribed to relieve symptoms associated with menstruation. On the other hand there is a hormonal intrauterine device (IUD levonorgestrel) that can control the discomfort.
Finally, in cases of pain rebel, injectable drugs are used to “produce a temporary menopause with consequent improvement in symptoms, but with the disadvantage of the changes of menopause,” said the doctor. As for surgery, is used today laparoscopy, which is characterized as minimally invasive surgery. However, in patients with relapses, “laparotomy is often used much more aggressively,” she added.
Although, generally, does not usually involve higher risks for health, it is very important to treat a disease that could significantly impair quality of life of women.