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Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, in places such as the intestines, ovaries, fallopian tubes or bladder. It can cause symptoms such as progressively more severe pain, especially during menstruation, but which can also be felt on other days of the month.
In addition to the endometrial tissue, the gland or stroma may be present, which are also tissues that should not be in other parts of the body, only inside the uterus. This change can spread to various tissues in the pelvic cavity, causing chronic inflammation in these areas.
Treatment for endometriosis should be done according to the gynecologist's guidance and involves the use of medications that help to relieve and control symptoms, in addition to the fact that, in the most severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
Causes of endometriosis
Endometriosis does not have a well-established cause, however some theories explain what could favor the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. The two main theories that explain endometriosis are:
- Retrograde menstruation, which is a situation in which menstruation is not eliminated correctly, and can move towards the other pelvic organs. Thus, fragments of the endometrium that should be eliminated during menstruation remain in the other organs, giving rise to endometriosis and symptoms;
- Environmental factors such as the presence of pollutants that are present in the fat of meat and soft drinks could alter the immune system causing the body to not recognize these tissues. However, more scientific research must be carried out to prove these theories.
Furthermore, it is known that women with cases of endometriosis in the family are more likely to develop the disease and therefore genetic factors would also be involved.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of endometriosis are quite uncomfortable for the woman and the intensity and frequency of the symptoms can vary from month to month and from one woman to another. Take the following symptom test and see what your risk of endometriosis is:
- 1. Intense pain in the pelvic area and worsening during menstruation No Yes
- 2. Abundant menstruation No Yes
- 3. Cramps during sexual intercourse No Yes
- 4. Pain when urinating or defecating No Yes
- 5. Diarrhea or constipation No Yes
- 6. Fatigue and excessive tiredness No Yes
- 7. Difficulty getting pregnant No Yes
In the presence of more than one of the symptoms, it is important to consult the gynecologist so that tests can be performed to help confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be started. Understand how the diagnosis of endometriosis is made.
How treatment should be
Treatment for endometriosis should be guided by the gynecologist according to the symptoms presented by the woman, age and severity of endometriosis. Thus, it can be indicated:
- Mild endometriosis: Anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can be used, which reduce pain, but do not prevent the development of the disease.
- Deep endometriosis: Hormonal drugs or surgery for endometriosis can be used, which help to reduce the amount of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
However, these types of treatments reduce the chances of getting pregnant and are only used in more advanced cases or when the woman is close to menopause. See more details on the treatment of endometriosis.
Common Questions
1. Is there intestinal endometriosis?
Intestinal endometriosis can happen and appears when the endometrial tissue, which lines the inside of the uterus, begins to grow in the intestine, causing adhesions. This tissue also responds to hormones, so it bleeds during menstruation. So during this phase the woman also has bleeding through the anus, in addition to having very severe cramps. Learn all about intestinal endometriosis.
2. Is it possible to get pregnant with endometriosis?
Endometriosis can hinder those who wish to become pregnant and may cause infertility, but this does not always happen because it depends a lot on the tissues that are involved.
For example, it is much more difficult to become pregnant when there is endometriosis in the ovaries or fallopian tubes, than when there is only in other regions. This is because the inflammation of the tissues in these places can affect the development of the egg and even prevent it from reaching the tubes, preventing it from being fertilized by the sperm. Better understand the relationship between endometriosis and pregnancy.
3. Can endometriosis be cured?
Endometriosis can be cured by surgery to remove all the endometrial tissue spread in the pelvic region, but it may also be necessary to remove the uterus and ovaries, if the woman does not wish to become pregnant. There are other options like painkillers and hormonal remedies, which help to control the disease and relieve symptoms, but if the tissue is spread in other regions, only surgery will be able to do its complete removal.
4. How is the surgery for endometriosis?
The surgery is performed by a gynecologist by videolaparoscopy and consists of removing as much endometrial tissue as possible outside the uterus. This surgery is delicate, but it can be the best solution for the most severe cases, when the tissue has spread to several areas causing pain and adhesions. Find out all about surgery for endometriosis.
5. Can a lot of colic be endometriosis?
One of the symptoms of endometriosis is intense cramping during menstruation, however, there are other situations that also cause severe cramps such as dysmenorrhea, for example. Therefore, who makes the diagnosis is the gynecologist based on the observation of the woman and her exams.
Check out some tips to relieve colic in the video below:
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6. Does endometriosis get fat?
Endometriosis causes abdominal bloating and fluid retention, because it ends up causing an inflammation in the organs in which it is found, such as ovaries, bladder, intestine or peritoneum. Although there is no great weight gain in most women, an increase in abdominal volume, especially pelvic in the most severe cases of endometriosis, can be noted.
7. Does endometriosis become cancer?
Not necessarily, but since the tissue is spread over areas where it shouldn't be, this, in addition to genetic factors, can facilitate the development of malignant cells. If the woman has endometriosis, she should be followed up with the gynecologist, performing blood tests and ultrasound more regularly and should follow the treatment indicated by her doctor.
8. Is there a natural treatment?
Evening primrose capsules contain gamma-linolenic acid in rich proportions. This is a chemical precursor to prostaglandins and, therefore, they are a good natural option, although they are not enough to cure the disease, only helping to fight the symptoms of endometriosis and making everyday life and the menstruation phase easier.
9. Does endometriosis increase the risk of miscarriage?
Symptoms of endometriosis usually improve during pregnancy and complications during pregnancy are very rare. Despite this, there is a slightly higher risk of women having placenta previa, which can be observed with more frequent ultrasounds, requested by the obstetrician.