Endometriosis: The Pain Is Not In Your Head

11 percent Of Women Of Childbearing Age In This Country Have Endometriosis

Despite its seriousness, endometriosis is often written off as a woman's active imagination or painful periods. It may induce infertility and crippling agony that disrupts everyday life, particularly for women.

Endometriosis, therefore, is what? This condition arises when the tissue that typically lines the lining of the uterus implants outside of the uterus, usually in the abdominal cavity, according to Kecia Gaither, M.D., head of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health+Hospitals/Lincoln. But that stray tissue may go anywhere: the lungs, the brain, the eyes, the skin, and even scar tissue. So it's not just restricted to the abdomen, either.

The tissue may no longer be in the uterus, but it acts as if it were there; near the end of a woman's period, it bursts and bleeds, leading to inflammation, scarring, and discomfort.

Endometriosis affects around 11 percent of American women of reproductive age. High-risk factors include a lack of family history of the illness, heavy meat and fatty food consumption, and a history of abnormally lengthy menstrual cycles.

Genetics

Gaither says that physicians still don't know the specific etiology of endometriosis. Retrograde menstrual flow is thought to be the cause by some medical professionals. This occurs when endometrial cells in menstrual blood return via the fallopian tubes and enter the pelvic cavity, where they adhere to organs.

Potential hereditary factors may also be involved, "especially if numerous family members have the problem," she says. When an illness runs in a family, it tends to worsen in subsequent generations, according to studies.

Endometriosis is more common in women who have compromised immune systems. Similarly, women whose uterine integrity has been compromised due to a c-section, myomectomy for fibroids, abortion, or a very high estrogen content in their bodies are also at increased risk.

"The most prevalent presenting symptom," according to Gaither, is pain, which is one of the signs of endometriosis. "It can present itself as excruciating period symptoms, painful sex, chronic pelvic pain that is debilitating, and painful bowel movements, trouble conceiving, intestinal dysfunction (constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, or scarring), or difficulty getting pregnant." If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should consult a medical professional.

Hysteroscopy, which Gaither referred to as "the gold standard," is one of many methods used by doctors to diagnose endometriosis. Others include pelvic exams, ultrasounds, magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), and other imaging modalities.

No Cure For Endometriosis

The most frequent treatments for endometriosis are surgical procedures or medicines to reduce symptoms, however, there is presently no cure for the condition. A few women choose the more natural method.

Gaither is quoted as saying, "We need to give this a go before we move on to other potential answers." She suggests that women cut down on their use of red meat and meals that are high in fat while simultaneously increasing their consumption of foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, veggies, and flaxseeds. Ginger and ginseng tea are two examples of herbal medications that have the potential to be useful in addition to vitamins B and C.

Finding The Right Physician

The most important thing to remember, according to Gaither, is that uterine health may be affected by a wide variety of factors, both internal and external. As a result of the multi-systemic presentation of endometriosis, the condition is often not recognized right away at the first visit. Doctors will often tell patients that the discomfort is in their brain. It is essential to get a proper physician who can comprehend your condition.