What is EndoMetriosis? Symptoms, Causes and Diagnosis

So many women are told that painful periods are normal. Not always they are not. If your cramps keep you in bed, or you are feeling pain throughout the month, or it takes longer than expected to conceive, it could be because of endometriosis. This guide provides an understanding of the condition in an easy-to-understand format and demonstrates where it can be identified and how it can be treated.

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed 4-12 years after the onset of period or pelvic pain, and it cannot be cured, but an appropriate treatment for endometriosis can help manage pain and preserve fertility.

What Is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a long-term condition where tissue like the lining of the womb grows outside the uterus. It affects approximately 190 million women and girls of reproductive age, approximately 10% of which suffer from the condition as per WHO, Endometriosis fact sheet. It usually occurs in the ovary, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvic cavity.

This wrongly placed tissue thickens and bleeds each month, in response to hormones. Since the blood cannot get away, it leads to inflammation, scarring and even cysts. Hence endometriosis in women is associated with pain, heavy periods and infertility.

It's not an infection, not infectious and no one is to blame.

What Are The Typical Endometriosis Symptoms?

Severe period pain, heavy menstrual bleeding and chronic pelvic pain are among the primary features listed by WHO, and the others include bloating or nausea, or infertility. The endometriosis symptoms are highly varied and for some women very few.

Here are some indicators to look for:

• Menstrual cramps that begin days before or are not relieved by normal pain medications
• Dysmenorrhea, or uterine cramps, don't happen during your period.
• Pain during or after sex
• Passing stool or urination is painful, particularly during certain times of day,
• Excessive or prolonged bleeding.
• Tiredness, bloating, nausea or diarrhea.
• Trouble getting pregnant

This is one aspect that many people are surprised about. Mayo Clinic article for Endometriosis symptoms and causes shows that the severity of the pain is not necessarily correlated with the amount of tissue that is present . It may be very painful on a small patch of skin and painless if it's widespread. Don't judge the problem based on pain alone.

What are the causes and risk factors of Endometriosis?

It is still not known what is causing it. WHO states that it is unknown where it has come from and suggests that differences in the immune system and family history may provide some clues.

There are two major theories about the endometriosis causes:

• Retrograde menstruation: During menstruation, blood flows back into the pelvis and the cells get stuck there.
• Immune response: Body doesn't get rid of the wrong tissues.
• Hormone effect on cells – cells that line the abdomen or developing cells become womb-like tissue.
• Surgical scars: Cells can stick to scar tissue including the scar that occurs after a c-section.

According to Mayo Clinic, these risk factors include: never having had children, early periods, late menopause, periods occurring less than 27 days apart, heavy periods that last longer than seven days and a family member who was diagnosed with the disease.

Our observation: The most usual delay in gynecology clinics is not fear of tests. Bad period pain is an inevitable part of being a woman. The earlier that belief is identified, the sooner the patient will seek assistance.

How is Endometriosis Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of endometriosis is a process that takes place in stages. Evaluation is based on clinical history, imaging (ultrasound or MRI) and sometimes on laparoscopy to see the tissue directly. It can take between 4 to 12 years for diagnosis to be made from onset of symptoms, according to the same source.

As is typical, it goes something like this:

• Detailed history. Your doctor questions you about the time of pain, its duration, bleeding, sexual intercourse, and plans for pregnancy.
• Pelvic examination. This can find tenderness, cysts or fixed organs.
• Ultrasound. Ovarian chocolate cysts, endometriomas, can be detected by a pelvic or transvaginal scan. A normal scan can't rule the disease out.
• MRI, if needed. Assists in mapping deeper disease prior to surgery.
• Laparoscopy. A small camera looks at the pelvis. Tissue can be excised and analysed to confirm the diagnosis.

Jaipur Vatika Hospital provides ultrasound and a 24×7 NABL accredited pathology lab under the same roof as the gynecology department. It is possible to take blood tests that exclude other causes of pain, such as infection or anemia, without leaving the building. Discover diagnostics and imaging services.

What are the treatment options for Endometriosis?

There is no cure and the goal of treatment is to control symptoms and slow the progression, according to WHO. This can be done by providing pain relief, hormone therapy, surgical removal of lesions and scar tissue, or fertility support.

• Pain control: The treatment options include anti-inflammatory medicines, heat and physiotherapy.
• Reduce lesion activity: Hormonal treatment is given by your gynecologist.
• Remove disease or cysts: Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
• Pregnancy planning: Consultation on fertility and customized management plan.

The best plan is based on your age, symptoms, and whether or not you wish to have children or not. Up to half of women with the disease will become infertile, but for many women with only mild or moderate disease, fertility is not affected and they are able to become pregnant and carry to term. So, a diagnosis doesn't mean it's the end of the road to motherhood.

Minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery is performed at JVH's Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, such as the removal of ovarian cysts. Chronic pelvic pain can also be treated with physiotherapy.

How to Find the Right Gynecologist in Jaipur?

Knowing how to find the best gynecologist in Jaipur is essential for women to ensure they receive optimal care for their reproductive health.

There is no uniform ranking for the ‘best’ gynecologist in Jaipur or the best gynecology hospital in Jaipur, but these are often conducted to find the best one for you. For a condition such as this, consider asking practical questions:

• Is the doctor listening and giving you time to explain your options?
• Do ultrasound, lab tests and surgery take place in a same hospital?
• If a pain gets bad, can you get to the hospital in a timely fashion?
• Do you have a plan if you want to get pregnant?

Jaipur Vatika Hospital is a Gynecology Hospital in Jaipur with the Jaipur-Ajmer Expressway, Thikariya with 24×7 Emergency services. From our Obstetrics and Gynecology department, you can find a Gynecologist in Jaipur, or contact Dr. Rinku Barwar (MBBS, DGO). For women from Bagru, Dudu and Phagi that's the best they can get, especially when they are also searching for the best hospital in Jaipur for post-hospitalization.

When To Contact a Gynecologist?

Call to schedule an appointment if you see any of these:

• Period pain that interferes with school, work and daily activities.
• Persistent pain in the pelvis (more than a few months)
• Pain with sex or bowel movements
• Very heavy bleeding
• No pregnancy after 12 months of trying (6 months if >35)

Seek immediate medical attention for abrupt and severe abdominal pain, collapse or pain when a fever develops.

Conclusion

Don't Ignore Recurring Pain. Endometriosis is prevalent, real and treatable. The sooner it's named the sooner you can find relief. If you are experiencing symptoms similar to the ones mentioned, consult one of our gynecology team. It is also worth a read of our guide to PCOS symptoms, causes and treatment, as they can be confused with one another.

Visit your gynecologist this week. Call +91-8209809753 or contact us online.