Endometrioses is a condition that affects over 175 million women worldwide. March is Endometrioses month, so Dr Samina is going to tell you a little more about this condition and its symptoms.
Endometriosis is an often-painful disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. The endometrium is the name for the cells that line your uterus. These cells respond to the hormones released from the ovary. When pregnancy does not occur each month, the tissue comes away from the body with bleeding – this is known as the menstrual period. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs.
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with menstrual periods. Although many women can experience cramping during their period, and those with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that’s far worse than usual. Pain also may increase over time.
The two main symptoms that endometriosis causes are:
- Pain – the pain occurs in the places that the endometriosis has grown. It is mostly in the pelvis. It is mostly ‘cyclical’, which means that it happens with your period. For many women, the first thing they notice is worsening pain with periods. Women with endometriosis often have pain with sex too.
- Trouble getting pregnant (sub-fertility or infertility) – endometriosis can make it difficult to get pregnant. Some women only have endometriosis diagnosed when they start trying to get pregnant.
The disgnosis can be determined by an ultrasound, but in most cases a laproscopy is needed. A laproscopy is a surgical procedure where Dr Samina uses a small telescope inserted through your belly button to look at the organs on the inside of your pelvis. Dr Samina will take pictures and often take samples of the endometriosis to confirm the disease.
The treatment of endometriosis often involves both medication (tablets and injections) and surgery (laparoscopy to remove the endometriosis). Most women who have endometriosis will require both of these treatments at different stages of their lives. The choice of treatments depends on how bad the pain is, where the pain is, and if you are trying to get pregnant.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should go and see your GP, who can refer you to Dr Samina who can review your symptoms and establish treatments and help for you or contact one of our friendly receptionists who can advise you accordingly or email contact@drsamina.com.au
Recent Comments