Endometriosis
The lining of the uterus called endometrium .A
tissue similar to this lining grows outside the uterus as in your ovaries, your
tubes, around the uterus and the bowel, these tissues called endometriosis.
When you have your period these tissues will bleed same way as your uterus and
will also cause pain similar to your period pain but in different places
where the endometriosis tissue is present.
Causes
of endometriosis
The cause is unknown but there are some theories
one of them stated it is a backward flows of some menstrual blood through the
tubes into the pelvis and it grows where it lands
Symptoms
of Endometriosis
· No symptoms, or
· Pain — before, during or between your periods. Pain may
come during or after sex. and sometimes during bowel movement or when you
urinate during your period
· Difficultto
conceive—Endometriosis
can cause scar tissue, which may damage your ovaries or tubes. Sometimes the
pregnancy becomes difficult even without scar tissue but once you become
pregnant your symptoms may improve
· Endometriomas called (chocolate cysts) —cysts with endometriosis which contain blood
similar to chocolate in your ovaries.
Diagnosis of
Endometriosis
The diagnosis usually suspected based on clinical
symptoms but to confirm the diagnosis you have to have a surgery.
Some doctors may recommend a medicine to treat a
suspected endometriosis for three or more months if failed,the second step is
the surgery ( see treatment below)
Treatment
There are several treatment options :
· Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs; like Advil or Aleve
· Hormonal birth
control which includes :pills, patches, , vaginal rings , IUDs (mirena) and
injection . they should be taken continuously for few months
· Other forms of
hormone treatment (gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists) like Lupron
· Surgery
The treatment
choice depends if you want to become pregnant or just to control the pain
Removal of the
uterus or ovaries — it might be
recommended if all treatment options have failed, severe pain that effects on
your quality of life and if you don’t want to become pregnant. You may need
hormonal treatment if you remove your ovaries especially if you are under 50.
Treatment
of infertility in Endometriosis:
Depending
on your endometriosis, age or other problems your doctor will individualize
your treatment which may include clomid or may refer you to fertility center
for more treatment options like IVF
