Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial like tissue is found outside the uterus. These tissue can grow anywhere in the body; mostly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissue surrounding them. Sometimes endometriosis can occur in the bladder, intestines, bowels and the rectum. Rarely, it can occur on the lungs, skin or even the brain.

During a woman’s monthly cycles the hormone estrogen naturally stimulates the thickening of the endometrium, which is shed during your menstrual period if you are not pregnant. In endometriosis, the stray pieces of endometrial tissue in the pelvic area, known as endometrial lesions, also responds to estrogen, which can cause pain and inflammation.

Many women with endometriosis experience severe pain that can affect professional perfomance, everyday activities and personal relationships. Often, women may not realize that their painful symptoms could be caused by endometriosis.

Women from all races and social groups are affected. Endometriosis mostly affects women during their reproductive years.

The causes of endometriosis are not fully understood.

Retrograde menstruation is one of the possible cause of endometriosis. Menstrual blood normally contains pieces of endometrial tissue and these can come to rest on organs near the womb for example the pelvic wall, ovaries and bowel. In women with endometriosis secondary retrograde menstruation, the stray endometrium attaches to the nearby organs, where response to monthly hormones can cause inflammation and irritation and may also lead to pain. Other theories include immunologic dysfunction, metaplasia and anatomic spread and deposition via the blood stream and lymphatic system.

During menstruation, some menstrual blood flow out of the womb through fallopian tube, a process that is normal and harmless. Menstrual blood normally contains pieces of endometrial tissue and these come to rest on organs near the womb e.g pelvic wall, ovaries and bowel. In women with endometriosis, the stray endometrium, attaches to the nearby organs, where response to monthly hormones can cause inflammation and irritation and lead to pain.

Symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women suffer severe pain, while others may not experience any symptoms at all.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent disease, which might explain why symptoms often disappear during pregnancy and after menopause when levels of the hormone estrogen drop.

Endometriosis may be associated with infertility. Women without symptoms of endometriosis who have problems becoming pregnant sometimes only discover that they have endometriosis after visiting a fertility specialist.

Don’t Dismiss the disease, question its clues

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
• Abdominal, pelvic or lower back pain before and during menstruation
• Cramps for one or two weeks before menstruation
• Cramps during menstruation (cramps may be steady and range from dull to severe)
• Pain during or following sexual intercourse
• Painful bowel movements or urination, especially during menstruation
• Excessive bleeding (menorrhagia)
• Bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia)
• Pelvic or lower back pains that may occur at any time
• Infertility
• Fatigue, Diarrhea, constipation during menstuation

Please seek medical attention if you have experienced any of the symptoms above

Endometriosis can be managed medically, surgically or using a combination or both. Therapy aims to alleviate pain symptoms, prevent disease progression and to preserve fertility. The earlier Endometriosis is diagnosed, the less the suffering.

A woman’s age, duration of infertility, pelvic pain, and stage of endometriosis are taken into account when formulating a treatment plan.

There are Endometriosis support groups in Kenya. In case you need help, please consult your healthcare provider.

Endometriosis requires medical attention. For more information on the condition, please contact your healthcare provider.

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial like tissue is found outside the uterus.

Endometriosis can affect any part of the body. These stray tissue can grow anywhere in the body; mostly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissue surrounding them. Sometimes, endometriosis can occur in the bladder, intestines, bowels and the rectum. Rarely, it can occur on the lungs, skin or even the brain.

Endometriosis is not a sexually transmitted disease. It is not an infection. Endometriosis is the presence of Endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

Symptoms of endometriosis can vary. Some women suffer severe pain, while others may not experience any symptoms at all.

Endometriosis is an estrogen-depended disease, which might explain why symptoms often disappear during pregnancy and after the menopause when levels of the hormone estrogen drop.

Endometriosis may be associated with infertility. Women without symptoms of endometriosis who have problems becoming pregnant sometimes only discover that they have endometriosis after visiting a fertility specialist.

Endometriosis can affect any woman in the reproductive age group. Many women with endometriosis report that onset of symptoms begun during adolescence.

Since endometriosis is an Oestrogen dependent inflammatory disease, some women experience pain symptoms only during menstruation. However, some women with endometriosis experience chronic pelvic pain, both when they are menstruating and not menstruating.

Many women with Endometriosis can get pregnant. It is estimated that 60-70% of women with endometriosis are fertile and can get pregnant spontaneously and have children. Treatment of endometriosis can enhance chances of getting pregnant. Of the women with fertility problems, a proportion will get pregnant, but only after medical assistance.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can be caused by various conditions including , but not limited to Uterine Fibriods, uterine polyps, coagulation disorders, ovulatory dysfunction and Endometriosis. It should not be assumed that all heavy menstrual bleeding is secondary to Endometriosis.

Endometriosis is not a psychological or psychiatric condition. The symptoms of endometriosis may affect the psychological and social functioning of patients.Endometriosis may be associated with an elevated risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression.

While some women with Endometriosis experience pain and other symptoms, others have no symptoms at all.

There is no permanent cure for endometriosis. Endometriosis should be viewed as a chronic disease that requires a life-long management plan.There is no cure for endometriosis, but the symptoms can be reduced with the right treatment.

Pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis. There are many women who have gotten pregnant and borne children but still experience endometriosis symptoms after the pregnancy is over.

Treatment of Endometriosis can be either medical, surgical or a combination of both. Treatment options vary from patient to patient depending on one’s symptoms, needs and preferences e.g. desire for children.