Endometriosis

Endometriosis - basic information

What is Endometriosis?

The lining of the womb is called the endometrium. Endometriosis is the result of endometrial tissue growing outside of the womb in the pelvis or in the abdomen.

Endometriosis mainly affects women between 25 to 40 years of age. As many as one in ten women may have the condition. It is one of the most common conditions dealt with by gynaecologists, and yet we don't know for sure why the lining of the womb should be found outside of the womb itself.

During the monthly cycle, hormones are produced that cause the lining of the womb to increase in size, and then shed or bleed. When the patches of tissue are outside of the womb as in endometriosis, this causes pain and great discomfort. As the blood is unable to escape, cysts then develop which can increase to the size of a grapefruit adding further distress to the sufferer.

Symptoms

The symptoms which can occur in the middle of the cycle, or at period time itself are:

* Pain: often severe cramping pains in the lower abdomen or pelvic region.

* Heavy bleeding: at period time this is common, with low back pain especially towards the end of the period.

* Painful intercourse: sex may be avoided, because pressure on swollen endometrial tissue in the pelvis, during love making can cause severe pain.

* Infertility: endometriosis is the commonest cause of infertility in women over the age of 25.

Many women 'suffer in silence' from painful periods or painful intercourse and "just put up with it". Endometriosis, if present, can be treated. There is no need to suffer!!

Treatment.

Before treatment is started a `laparoscopy'is done, where a thin light tube is inserted into the lower abdomen through a very small incision. This allows the doctor to directly see the pelvis and lower abdomen to detect any endometrial tissue.

The various treatment are:
Hormone treatments such as 'Danol', 'Provera', 'Depo Provera', 'Dimetriose' and 'Primulot N' have been very popular in the past, but newer treatments that are now being tried look rather interesting.

Two products, Prostap SR and Zoladex are long acting substances which are injected under the skin of the abdominal wall, once a month for a maximum of six months.

The latest treatments `Suprecur' and `Synarel', are easy to use because the medication is taken via a nasal spray!! The woman takes a squirt into each nostril, two or three times a day for a maxixmum of six months. These produce a significant improvement in symptoms but are expensive!

For more severe cases the use of lasers to remove the abnormal tissue has proved very effective indeed. An older women nearing the menopause, with a family would probably be offered a Hysterectomy.

Women with endometriosis should be treated as early as possible to prevent it getting worse, even if their symptoms are only mild.

Other Resources
Further information from:
The Endometriosis Society
NHS Direct information on Endometriosis
BUPA factsheet on Endometriosis
Web search for Endometriosis by Kosmix


IMPORTANT NOTICE : This content is from the Dr Chris Steele personal archive and is provided for convenience only. Information contained here may no longer agree with the most up to date medical advice. Please check with a medical professional before taking any action.

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