Genetic Predispostion. Studies have shown that first-degree relatives of women with this disease are more likely to develop endometriosis. And when there is a hereditary link, the disease tends to be worse in the next generation. An ongoing worldwide study called the International Endogene Study is conducting research based on the blood samples from sisters with endometriosis in hopes of isolating an endometriosis gene.
Lymphatic or Vascular Distribution. Endometrial fragments may travel through blood vessels or the lymphatic system to other parts of the body. This may explain how endometriosis ends up in distant sites, such as the lung, brain, skin, or eye.
Immune System Dysfunction. Some women with endometriosis appear to display certain immunologic defects or dysfunctions. Whether this is a cause or effect of the disease remains unknown.
Environmental Influences. Some studies have pointed to environmental factors as contributors to the development of endometriosis, specifically related to the way toxins in the environment affect the reproductive hormones and immune system response, though this theory has not been proven and remains controversial.
What Are The Symptoms?
The most common symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain often correlates to the menstrual cycle, however, a woman with endometriosis may also experience pain at other times during her monthly cycle. For many women, but not everyone, the pain of endometriosis can unfortunately be so severe and debilitating that it impacts her life in significant ways.
Pain may be felt:
• Before/during/after menstruation
• During ovulation
• In the bowel during menstruation
• When passing urine
• During or after sexual intercourse
• In the lower back region
Other symptoms may include:
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal bloating
• Heavy or irregular bleeding
• Fatigue
Diagnosis
If you are experiencing symptoms like those of endometriosis, it is important that you talk to your clinician. Only a clinician can diagnose endometriosis. Sometimes a surgical procedure called laparoscopy is performed to diagnose endometriosis. During the procedure, a clinician looks inside a woman’s pelvic cavity with special instruments to see if she has endometriosis. Some women can manage their pain with over-the-counter painkillers (such as ibuprofen), and some turn to changes in diet and exercise to deal with the symptoms. Unfortunately, the pain may be too severe for other women, in which case prescription treatments may be used.
There is no simple test that can be used to diagnose endometriosis, which may be why there is a diagnostic delay of up to 12 years in some healthcare settings.
At present the only reliable way to definitively diagnose endometriosis is by performing a laparoscopy and taking a biopsy of the tissue.
Diagnosing endometriosis is a challenge, but an experienced gynecologist should be able to recognize symptoms suggestive of endometriosis by talking with the woman and obtaining a history of her symptoms. For this to be effective, be honest with your physician about all of her symptoms and the pattern of these.
Treatment
Since the cause of endometriosis remains unknown, a treatment that fully cures endometriosis has yet to be developed, and there is no overwhelming medical evidence to support one specific type of treatment for endometriosis over another.
Choosing a treatment therefore comes down to the individual woman’s needs, depending on her symptoms, her age, and her fertility wishes. She should discuss these with her physician so that they, together, can determine which long-term, holistic, treatment plan is best for her individual needs.
For many women, this can be a combination of more than one treatment over longer periods, including:
• Pain killers
• Hormonal Therapy
• Surgery
• Nutritional Therapy
• Alternative Medicine
Finally, remember that endometriosis affects more than just the physical body. It may affect women and girls in profound emotional ways as well. Psychologists and counselors can play an important role by helping women and girls cope with the feelings of confusion, disbelief, chronic pain, infertility, and frustration that often accompany this disease.
What Else Could It Be?
Other disorders can cause pelvic pain, including sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and fibroids. Symptoms of endometriosis are similar to symptoms for these disorders.
Each month, track your pain and how heavy your flow is and how many days your period lasts. You’ll discover whether or not your menstrual cycle is regular and how often you experience pain during your cycle. This will be helpful when talking to your clinician about whether or not your monthly pain might be something more than just a pain.
Severe menstrual pain shouldn’t be ignored, so visit your clinician if you’re experiencing any pain before or during your period, or pain during intercourse if you’re sexually active.