The condition endometriosis
Endometriosis is a relatively unknown condition and that is why it often takes a long time before this condition is recognized in a woman. The complaints are related to menstrual pain and because most women suffer from menstrual pain to a greater or lesser extent, it is often not recognized when the pain or associated complaints are abnormally severe.
Often women try to deal with the complaints themselves for a long time, when they sound the alarm they are not always taken seriously and the problem is sometimes trivialized. All in all this means that it often takes a long time before the diagnosis is made.
Time to provide more clarification regarding this condition. Gynaecologist Florien explains today what endometriosis is, what the symptoms of endometriosis are and what the treatment looks like.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease in which the endometrium (uterine lining) causes complaints. Endometrium is the mucous membrane that lines the uterine cavity on the inside and that is built up during the cycle under the influence of hormones. The mucous membrane thus provides an optimal place for a fertilized egg to implant, and if this does not happen it is broken down during menstruation. Usually with some symptoms around it that most women recognize, and of which the most well-known is menstrual pain.
The endometrium can also probably end up in the abdominal cavity from the uterine cavity via the fallopian tubes during menstruation. This endometrium can implant itself in places outside the uterus. This means that there may also be active endometrium outside the uterus. This mucous membrane is controlled by hormonal changes in the cycle in the same way as the mucous membrane in the uterine cavity. During menstruation, pain can therefore occur in places other than just the uterus. Cysts (endometriomas) or scars/adhesions can also develop in these places as a result of the inflammatory reaction that can occur near such a mucous membrane focus.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Endometriosis has many symptoms, besides menstrual pain, that can vary in severity and amount. The most common symptoms of endometriosis are:
- Menstrual pain (before/during/after menstruation)
- (Chronic) abdominal pain
- Bowel and bladder problems (bowel cramps, constipation, diarrhea, burning sensation when urinating)
- Fatigue
- Painful intercourse (during and after intercourse)
- Infertility
- Symptoms that may be associated with endometriosis include:
- Pelvic and/or abdominal pain (also outside the menstrual period)
- Low back pain
- Pain in the legs (especially in the upper legs during menstruation)
- Ovulation pain (= pain during ovulation)
- Pain during internal examination of the vagina and/or intestines
- Listlessness
- Depression and/or irritability
- Pre Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Swollen belly
- Insomnia
What endometriosis treatments are there?
It is important that the sooner treatment of endometriosis is started, the more the consequences can be limited. The treatment consists of three pillars.
Hormonal treatment
Hormonal treatment is aimed at menstruating as little as possible/no longer. This is because the damage is mainly caused by irritation that occurs during menstruation. Hormonal treatment can be done with oral contraceptives (OC, "the pill"), progesterone-containing treatments (Mirena, Implanon, Provera), or GNRH analogues (medicines that shut down your own hormone balance and therefore mimic the situation of the menopause).
Pain relief
Painkillers are mainly complementary to hormonal or surgical treatment. This is important to mention because you are not treating the condition with this and therefore not stopping it.
Operation
Operations are mainly performed on patients where hormonal treatments are not effective enough or who have a cyst that causes complaints. Operations are now usually performed with a laparoscopy. Sometimes a laparoscopy is also performed if endometriosis is suspected based on the complaints in the event of an unfulfilled desire to have children.
Endometriosis self test
If you suspect endometriosis, we advise you to consult a gynaecologist. You can also do an endometriosis test at www.endometriose.nl to map your symptoms.
What can we do for you?
Women's Healthcare Center provides expert care and support for women. Our team of specialisten will do everything they can to help you get the right diagnosis and find the best treatment options.
