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What Is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the tissue that lines your uterus grows outside of the uterus. This tissue acts as regular uterine tissue does during your period — it breaks apart and bleeds at the end of the cycle. But this blood has nowhere to go. Surrounding areas may become inflamed or swollen. You might have scar tissue and lesions. Endometriosis is most common in your ovaries.
Symptoms of endometriosis
1. Pain. This is the most common symptom. Women with endometriosis may have many different kinds of pain. These include: Very painful menstrual cramps. The pain may get worse over time. Chronic (long-term) pain in the lower back and pelvis Pain during or after sex Intestinal pain Painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods. In rare cases, you may also find blood in your stool or urine. 2. Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods. This can be caused by something other than endometriosis. If it happens often, you should see your doctor. 3. Infertility, or not being able to get pregnant. 4. Stomach (digestive) problems. These include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
Endometriosis Treatments
There’s no cure for endometriosis. Treatments usually include surgery or medication. You might need to try different treatments to find what helps you feel better. 1. Pain medicine. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) work for many people. If these don’t ease your pain, ask about other options. 2. Hormones. Hormonal therapy lowers the amount of estrogen your body makes and can stop your period. This helps lesions bleed less so you don’t have as much inflammation, scarring, and cyst formation. Common hormones include: 3. Birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists, such as elagolix sodium (Orilissa) or leuprolide (Lupron) Progestin-only contraceptives Danazol (Danocrine) 4. Surgery. Your doctor might recommend surgery to take out as much of the affected tissue as possible. In some cases, surgery helps ease symptoms and can make you more likely to get pregnant. Your doctor might use a laparoscope or do a standard surgery that uses larger cuts. Sometimes, pain comes back after surgery. In the most severe cases, you may need a surgery called a hysterectomy to take out your ovaries, uterus, and cervix. But without them, you can’t get pregnant later.
Conclusion
By understanding the symptoms and exploring various treatment options, individuals can find effective ways to achieve endometriosis pain relief and improve their overall well-being. Consulting with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized plan is vital for successful endometriosis pain relief and a better quality of life.