Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory condition. Its cause, associated symptoms, diagnosis and treatment are explored here. Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition driven by the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.
What kind of disease is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological disease that researchers now view as a systemic condition. This means it does not necessarily only affect the pelvic area, but it can also cause inflammation in different body systems.
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with menstrual periods. Although many experience cramping during their menstrual periods, those with endometriosis typically describe menstrual pain that's far worse than usual. Pain also may increase over time.
Untreated endometriosis can cause significant pain, bloating, excess menstrual bleeding, and digestive distress. Over time, it can also affect a person's fertility. When endometriosis tissue grows outside the uterus, it can affect other organs — especially the ovaries and reproductive structures.
It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility.
Endometriosis is a chronic condition that can be hard to diagnose and painful.
Over recent decades, endometriosis has been associated with the risk of several chronic diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, asthma or allergic manifestations, and cardiovascular diseases.
It is thought that in some cases the immune system is not able to fight off endometriosis. Many of those with endometriosis appear to have reduced immunity to other conditions. It is not known whether this contributes to endometriosis or whether it is as a result of endometriosis.
Adenomyosis, often referred to as the 'evil sister' of endometriosis, is a uterine condition in which endometrial cells from the inner lining of the uterus (the endometrium) migrate from that lining into the muscle wall of the uterus (the myometrium).
Adenomyosis (ad-uh-no-my-O-sis) occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus. The displaced tissue continues to act normally — thickening, breaking down and bleeding — during each menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis can have a range of symptoms such as heavy and painful periods, discomfort during and after intercourse and infertility. However, the condition can also cause abdominal bloating and general fatigue which are very common and often overlooked.
For many, it gets worse as they get older. Other endometriosis symptoms include: Very long or heavy periods. Severe cramps.
Endometriosis is a serious health issue faced by many women, and it can also indirectly cause hair loss. Women have enough on their biological plate to deal, and so while hair loss might seem like an inconvenient man's problem, rest assured it's most likely a temporary dilemma.
While a person can experience endometriosis symptoms suddenly, the condition itself develops over several years. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known. However, it is most likely due to abnormal menstrual flow.
Excess estrogen, genes and the immune system may all play a role in the development of this condition (14,18-21). There is evidence that endometriosis can be passed down through families (21-23). This means a person may be more likely to have it if someone in their biological family does, too.
Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis 2 (DIE II) The most severe form, it affects organs within and without the pelvic cavity, including the bowels, appendix, diaphragm, heart, lungs, and (rarely) the brain.
Hormone treatment. The aim of hormone treatment is to limit or stop the production of oestrogen in your body, as oestrogen encourages endometriosis tissue to grow and shed. Limiting oestrogen can shrink endometriosis tissue in the body and reduce pain from endometriosis.