Endometriosis

Endometriosis information

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to that which lines a woman’s uterus is found growing elsewhere in her pelvic cavity, such as on her ovaries, fallopian tubes or pelvic sidewall.

If allowed to develop far enough, the tissue will distort the woman’s internal anatomy with scar tissue and adhesions. In later stages, it will fuse together, causing a condition known as a “frozen pelvis.” An estimated 30 to 40 of women with endometriosis may not be able to have children.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Endometriosis

Endometriosis symptoms are similar to the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Doctors look for unexplained hip joint pain or pains that occur during urination, during and after sex, after eating, during menstruation and during ovulation. Lower back pain, diarrhea, irregular menstrual bleeding and fatigue are also symptomatic of endometriosis. To confirm a diagnosis of endometriosis, however, doctors must conduct laparoscopic surgery.

Treatment of Endometriosis

There is no cure for endometriosis—the most that doctors hope for from endometriosis treatment is to relieve the symptoms so that they do not interfere with the patient’s everyday life.

Upon initial diagnosis, a surgical procedure called a laparotomy is performed to remove the existing lesions, cysts and adhesions. The growths may recur, however, so additional treatments over the long term will be needed. A hysterectomy is sometimes the definitive end of endometriosis, but in some extreme cases, the disease recurs even after this radical procedure.

Some herbs have been reported to ease the symptoms. These are dandelion, which detoxifies the liver, and flaxseed, fish oil and primrose oil, all of which decrease inflammation.

Hormonal treatments for endometriosis are designed to temper estrogen production in a woman's body, and such treatments may subsequently relieve her symptoms. Hormonal therapies may include the combined oral contraceptive pill, progestins, Mirena (the drug, not the IUD), GnRH-analogues, Danazol and aromatase inhibitors. These therapies come with side effects, and their pain-relieving effects often prove only temporary.