Understanding Endometriosis: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

The Role of the Uterus in Human Life

Wonder originates in the womb of a woman. as said by Lailah Gifty Akita, and we all know it to be true. The womb of a woman, or more scientifically, the uterus, is the organ that cradles all life and thus holds the most important position in human lives. The uterus is the organ where the zygote implants itself in its inner muscular walls and thus creates a hospitable environment for the zygote to develop into a fetus and grow. This process is hindered when women suffer from a clinical condition called endometriosis. My interest in this topic arose when I read about a woman under intense emotional distress due to not being able to conceive as she had endometriosis. Hence, I would like to present details about endometriosis and its associated complications. To help you understand what endometriosis is, I will describe the role of the uterus and the abnormalities that this clinical disorder presents.

Endometriosis is a clinical disorder where the tissue which generally lines the uterus grows abnormally outside the uterus. The uterus is a muscular organ that hosts the fetus and which expands as the fetus grows. The uterus also has an important role in the menstrual cycle, which is regulated by hormones in a woman’s body. The clinical condition presents many complications as the abnormal growth of the tissue occurs on the fallopian tubes, ovaries or even the intestines.

The abnormal tissue growth which affects the organs in the pelvic area behaves like the endometrial tissue itself. This abnormal tissue growth thickens, disintegrates and bleeds with the actual endometrial lining of the uterus during every menstrual period. The disintegrated tissue and blood, since it has no outlet (like the uterus, whose disintegrated tissue is eliminated through the vagina), stays trapped within the body and affects other organs. This trapped tissue inflames and scars the normal tissue surrounding the abnormal endometrial tissue. When and if the ovary is involved, the blood often gets embedded in the ovarian tissue. This leads to the formation of a fibrous cyst called an endometrioma. The formation of the abnormal endometrial tissue can cause the bands of fibrous tissue to become attached and make the organs in the pelvic area stick together.

The common symptoms of endometriosis in women include abdominal pain, pain during menstrual periods (dysmenorrhea), irregular menstrual cycles, pain during intercourse,  intermenstrual bleeding, pain during urination or bowel movements, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, infertility issues, nausea and bloating. The symptoms arise due to the endometrial-like tissue

What Is Endometriosis?

According to a John Hopkins survey report, this condition affects around 2 to 10% of Americana women aged 25 to 40 years. Endometriosis in women can occur due to many risk factors, for instance, those who have a history of a first degree relative like mother, daughter or sister with endometriosis, those who are above the age of 30 years and giving birth for the first time, and those who have an abnormal uterus.

The major issue that affects most women who have endometriosis is the fertility issue. As per the study conducted by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, it has been found that endometriosis is one of the three major causes of female infertility and has been found in around 24 to 50 % of women in the USA. The infertility causes are usually temporary in most cases; however, severe cases may require surgery and other treatments. There are usually four stages of endometriosis, which are minimal, mild, moderate and severe. The stages are dependent upon the depth, location, amount and size of the endometrial tissue. The specific criterion of the stages to be identified include the extent to which the abnormal tissue has spread, the extent of the pelvic adhesions, the extent of involvement of the pelvic structures in the endometriosis, and the blockage of the fallopian tubes.

Diagnosis of endometriosis includes ultrasound, MRI scan and CT scan of the pelvic area to determine the extent of the abnormal endometrial growth. Endometriosis treatment usually involves pain medication for mild cases, hormonal therapy like oral contraceptives to regulate the menstrual cycle, progestin, and testosterone. Surgical procedures include hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus), laparoscopy (endometrial growths), electrosurgery, and laparotomy. Medical procedures to treat the endometriosis condition includes ablation (removal of the extra tissues through ultrasound, lasers, etc.), cauterization (freezing or burning of the abnormal tissue growth) and electrocoagulation (utilizing electricity to seal the blood vessels).

`Hence endometriosis, although it sounds like a deadly disease, has many treatment options and can usually be managed in severe cases too.

References

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