As per data, there are an estimated 24 million Indian women who are suffering from a chronic medical condition called endometriosis. It is one of the leading causes of infertility issues in women. This condition has a wide range of symptoms, presentations, and severity, which causes many health issues that affect the quality of life. So understanding endometriosis and its causes, symptoms, and treatment is essential. Read below to learn more about it.
Is endometriosis a disease? No. It is a chronic, painful condition where the tissues that line the uterus grow outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis involves the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and pelvis. The endometrial-like tissues are very rarely found beyond areas of the pelvic region. The endometrial-like tissues act like normal endometrial tissue. It breaks apart and bleeds with every menstrual cycle, but the blood gets trapped with no place to go. The tissues in the surrounding areas become irritated and inflamed. This can later develop into lesions and scars. It may result in discomfort and other problems. But with treatment, this problem can be controlled.
Now that we know what is endometriosis, it is essential to know the endometriosis symptoms to get quick and appropriate treatment. Note that some people have mild symptoms, and others have moderate to severe symptoms. The severity of pain does not show the degree or stage of endometriosis. You may have a mild condition but severe pain, and vice versa. Also, know that you may not have any symptoms at all. However, for those who have symptoms, if you are wondering what are the first signs of endometriosis, it is pelvic pain:
After knowing what are the first signs of endometriosis if you have two or more of the above symptoms, get it checked by a gynecologist.
In a regular menstrual period, the body sheds the uterine lining. This helps the blood from menstruation flow out through the small cervical opening from the uterus through the vagina. But for people with endometriosis, the tissue that develops out of the uterus breaks but has no place to come out. So is endometriosis a disease? No, it is not, but the exact cause of this condition is not known. Some of the possibilities are:
Is endometriosis dangerous? It is not life-threatening but it severely impacts a person's quality of life. So knowing the risk factors gives you a better handle on the situation.
Endometriosis takes many years to develop after menarche (onset of menstruation). For some people, the endometriosis symptoms may improve after pregnancy and go away with the onset of menopause.
How to prevent endometriosis? There is no known cure for this condition, and treatments include medication or surgery. You may have to try various treatments to determine what makes you feel better. Here are some of the treatment options:
Is endometriosis dangerous? No, but it has many side effects, including infertility and chronic pain, which makes it all the more important to get timely and proper treatment.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition for which the cause is not known and there is no cure. But with effective endometriosis treatment like hormone therapy, medications, etc., the side effects like infertility, pain, etc. can be managed. But it is essential to meet the doctor to get a proper diagnosis and treatment based on symptoms and stage.
The exact reasons for this chronic condition are not clearly known, and there are many theories, none of which are scientifically proven. Among the many theories, the oldest is that it happens because of retrograde menstruation. It is a condition in which the blood returns into the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes instead of coming out of the body from the vagina.
It leads to severe pain during menstruation, bowel movements, and urination. There is pain in the pelvis area as well as a feeling of fatigue, bloating, and nausea. It is also the main cause of infertility.
It is not a life-threatening disease, but it greatly impacts the quality of life due to the pain and other health issues it causes.
Hormone therapy is the main treatment for endometriosis.
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