According to the World Health Organization, about 10 percent of women of reproductive age have endometriosis. This means that 190 million women worldwide suffer from this chronic disease, which is characterized by the formation of endometriosis-like tissue outside the uterus. One of the most important aspects of the disease is early diagnosis and choosing the most suitable therapy for each person.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Endometriosis can go undetected for years without causing symptoms. But in many situations, endometriosis seriously impairs the quality of life due to increased pelvic pain during menstruation, intercourse, urination or defecation. In addition to pain, endometriosis can be accompanied by bloating, nausea, fatigue and anxiety. Endometriosis is a disease that needs to be detected and treated as soon as possible, as it can also affect fertility.

Why does endometriosis occur?

The exact causes of endometriosis are unknown. According to the NHS, common theories about the cause of endometriosis include genetic inheritance (the disease often runs in families) and immune system disorders. Certain studies have shown that endometriosis occurs more often in women whose mothers or sisters have endometriosis, in those whose first period was before the age of 11, in women whose menstrual cycles are shorter than 27 days, and in those who have strong menstrual bleeding lasts longer. than 7 days.

Infertility and low body fat levels have also been linked to endometriosis. Approximately 50 percent of women with infertility have endometriosis.

What problems does endometriosis cause to doctors?

Despite being a common disease, endometriosis still raises many questions. Experts believe that more research is needed to fully understand endometriosis. “Despite the fact that endometriosis affects the quality of life of women, it remains an understudied disease. We still have a lot to learn and learn about methods of diagnosis and treatment,” said Dr. Nicole Tyson, professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Stanford University.

The main problem with endometriosis is that it can affect the whole body. If, after a normal cycle that is not interrupted by pregnancy, the developing endometrial tissue is shed during menstruation, people with endometriosis may end up with parts of the endometrial-like tissue in the abdomen or other parts of the body.

This phenomenon, which accompanies each menstruation, causes pain, inflammation and scar tissue, a complex of symptoms associated with menstrual pain. “However, the level of pain can be worse than normal menstrual discomfort. That’s because endometriosis is a progressive disease, with the formation of scar tissue and increasing pain,” says Dr. Hugh Taylor, an expert in gynecology and infertility at Yale University School of Medicine.

How is endometriosis diagnosed and treated?

Any of these symptoms should be reported to a gynecologist, who will conduct a series of tests, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and laparoscopy to visualize the suspicious tissue as endometriosis. With the help of laparoscopy, the doctor will take a sample of suspicious tissue to make an accurate diagnosis.

Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis. But there are ways to relieve symptoms, including anti-inflammatory pain relievers, hormonal drugs, contraceptives, surgical removal of endometrial tissue, and even removal of parts of the affected organs (colon) or even the uterus (hysterectomy). Currently, the therapy protocol used by expert doctors in the treatment of endometriosis is aimed at alleviating symptoms and, in many cases, allows to preserve the fertility potential of patients affected by endometriosis.

Myths and truths about endometriosis

Given that endometriosis raises many questions, there are still many myths about this condition. Often, these myths keep women away from the gynecologist, which over time can affect their quality of life as well as their potential for conception. Here are some of the myths debunked by doctors!

1. Pelvic symptoms are only a consequence of heavy menstruation.

Many women believe that severe pelvic pain is caused only by menstruation. But in the case of patients with endometriosis, pain occurs against the background of inflammation and irritation caused by the presence of endometriosis-like tissue in areas other than the inner part of the uterus. It is worth noting that the endometrial tissue is sensitive to hormones, being influenced by their secretion during the menstrual cycle.

2. Pregnancy can limit and even eliminate endometriosis.

This recommendation, which many endometriosis patients still receive, does not appear to be supported by scientific evidence. In a review of 1,892 women, 89.4% were recommended to become pregnant for the treatment or management of endometriosis. But the study highlighted the negative impact of this advice on many of the women who participated in the analysis.

3. Endometriosis affects only the pelvis.

And this is a myth: it is true that endometrial tissue mainly affects the pelvic area and is located mainly on the outer surface of the uterus, ovaries, bladder and fallopian tubes. But this type of tissue can reach any part of the body, far from the pelvis. There were situations when its presence was detected at the pulmonary or cerebral level.

4. The stage of the disease is determined by the severity of the symptoms.

Although patients who experience severe pelvic pain may be considered to have late-stage endometriosis, doctors say there are cases where large endometriosis implants do not cause symptoms.

5. High levels of estrogen can cause endometriosis.

Although high levels of estrogen hormones in the body do not lead to endometriosis, studies have shown that certain hormone medications that block estrogen can lead to relief of symptoms.

6. Endometriosis improves with menopause.

It is true that endometriotic tissues are sensitive to estrogen hormones, and a decrease in their secretion with age and menopause can relieve symptoms. But women taking hormone replacement therapy may still experience symptoms of endometriosis. In addition, the secretion of estrogens does not decrease suddenly, but decreases gradually, which does not exclude the presence of symptoms even after entering menopause.

7. Endometriosis affects fertility and prevents pregnancy.

It is true that in some cases, women with endometriosis have difficulty conceiving. But the percentage of those who can get pregnant, even if they have endometriosis, is 60-70 percent. Experts say that even women with severe endometriosis can get pregnant naturally.

8. Endometriosis occurs only in women.

And this is just a myth, even if this disease is characteristic of women. In the medical literature, 16 cases of endometriosis in men in the bladder, abdominal wall, and groin are described.

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