Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, with symptoms such as pain, abnormal bleeding, and infertility. Jackson Heights endometriosis affects the inside of the uterus, the tissue that lines the inner part of the uterus, making you feel like something is growing in there. It can also affect other organs, such as your bladder, bowel, and ovaries.
Below are the symptoms and causes of endometriosis.
Endometriosis symptoms
The main symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. This can be constant or intermittent and is experienced in one or more areas of the pelvis. Pain may also be experienced on one or more sides of the abdomen, back, or lower back.
Some women have no symptoms at all. Others may experience symptoms such as cramping, bloating, infertility, and menstrual and urinary problems. Symptoms typically worsen over time, but they may vary from woman to woman, depending on their particular situation and treatment plan.
Endometriosis causes
- Retrograde menstruation
The most common cause of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation, which occurs when the menstrual phase is reversed, and a woman sheds her uterine lining (uterine wash) into the fallopian tubes or uterus, causing endometriosis to develop. This may occur due to multiple miscarriages, ovarian cysts, surgery, or illness. The lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation to prepare it for a fertilized egg. If this lining stays in the body after menses has ceased, it will continue to grow and become endometrium.
- Family history
Endometriosis is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Approximately 50% of women with endometriosis report a family history of the disease, suggesting a hereditary component to this condition. There is also evidence that some women may inherit a tendency to develop endometriosis from their mothers but only develop symptoms when they become fertile.
- Hormonal changes during menstruation
In normal menstrual cycles, the lining of the uterus sheds each month through the fallopian tubes and out through the vagina. However, during menstruation, some blood clots form within the uterine cavity. These clots then break into microscopic strands known as endometrial fragments that can embed into other tissues throughout the body (endometrium). These fragments can then grow in size if they remain trapped inside the body for too long or if no tissue is available to act as a barrier to prevent them from spreading.
What is the best treatment for endometriosis?
The best treatment for endometriosis is improving the quality of your life. Pain medications are also used to control discomfort. Health specialists, in other instances, recommend hormone therapy to control inflammation and pain related to the menstrual cycle.
However, in severe circumstances, surgery may be opted for. That is because it allows the removal of the endometrium and associated tissue, which can help relieve the pain associated with endometriosis. In addition, surgery also allows for the removal of any damaged organs as well as scar tissue that may have formed as a result of endometriosis.
Health specialists at Raveco Medical will determine the best endometriosis treatment in your case. Get in touch today.
