Overview
Medically reviewed by Dr. Rabeya Afroz Shomi
What is Endometriosis?
What are the various stages of endometriosis?
What are the primary signs of endometriosis?
What causes Endometriosis?
What is the simplest treatment for endometriosis?
What foods to avoid if you've got endometriosis?
What are some natural remedies for endometriosis?
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a particularly painful disorder where the tissues that lines the within of the uterus (endometrium) starts growing on the surface of the uterus (womb). Endometriosis usually includes the tissues lining the pelvis, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
During Endometriosis, the endometrial tissues breaks down and bleeds. This tissue doesn’t have any thanks to exit from the body so it gets trapped. Endometriosis causes chronic pain during your periods. Also, fertility are often affected as this condition might create issues during conceiving a baby.
What are the various stages of endometriosis?
Endometriosis may be a reproductive disorder that normally shows different signs & symptoms in every patient and in some cases, there are not any major symptoms. The condition of endometriosis is split into four stages which are (1) Minimal, (2) Mild, (3) Moderate and (4) Severe.
In Minimal endometriosis, there's a presence of few small wounds, lesions or implants over the ovary with none connective tissue . If lesions are seen over the ovary and therefore the pelvic lining as light with shallow implants & scar tissues, it's mild endometriosis.
Under Stage- 3 many deep implants and lesions are present on one or both ovaries whereas severe endometriosis may be a presence of thick bands of scar tissues, adhesions with many deep implants on both ovaries, fallopian tubes and in bowel region.
What are the primary signs of endometriosis?
Endometriosis may be a condition where an overgrowth of the endometrium occurs outside the uterus and grows over ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel, and tissue linings of the pelvis. This abnormal growth of endometrium causes inflammation and other signs like pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, excessive bleeding, discomfort in bowel movements, fatigue, nausea, diarrhea, etc.
A woman affected by this condition may experience lower back pain during the menstrual periods, abdominal cramps before one or fortnight of menstruation and also during menstruation. In some cases, women also face difficulties in getting pregnant.
What causes Endometriosis?
The exact explanation for Endometriosis isn't yet known but studies suggest that it are often caused thanks to some factors such as:
Retrograde menstruation- during this condition, menorrhea that contains endometrial cells usually flow back to the cavity through the fallopian tubes rather than passing out from the body. These endometrial cells stick with the pelvic organs and pelvic walls where they thicken and begin bleeding over the course of the cycle .
Changing of the peritoneal cells- this is often also called induction theory. Endometriosis are often caused thanks to the transformation of peritoneal cells.
Embryonic transformation of cells- Hormones like estrogen can transform embryonic cells within the early stages.
Surgical scar implantation- After a surgery like C-section or hysterectomy, the endometrial cells can attach itself to a incision .
Endometrial cells transport- The tissue fluid (lymphatic) or blood vessels can transport the endometrial cells to other body parts.
Immune system disorder- If there's a drag with the system , it's going to make the body impossible to destroy and recognize the endometrial tissue which grows outside the uterus.
Risk factors that cause you to more susceptible in developing Endometriosis is:
Unable to conceive
Starting your period very early in life.
Having your menopause at a really adulthood .
Menstrual cycle but 27 days.
High levels of estrogen in your body or exposure to a high level of estrogen produced by your body.
Low body mass
Excessive Alcohol consumption
One or more relations having Endometriosis.
Abnormalities within the uterus (womb).
The symptoms of Endometriosis can end permanently if you experience menopause and may end temporarily if you get pregnant. Taking estrogen supplements also can trigger Endometriosis in some women
What is the simplest treatment for endometriosis?
Endometriosis can reoccur subsequently and its treatment controls the abnormal growth of endometrium. The treatment has an objective of reliving symptoms and enhancement of fertility. The course of treatment depends on the age of the patient, pain related to the condition and stage of the disease.
Pain medications (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen or naproxen are prescribed as an over-the-counter medication. Hormonal therapies in sort of pills, injections or nasal sprays are advised that include hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills or patches), progestin therapy, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist and antagonists, etc.
At Stages-03 and 04, conservative surgeries or hysterectomy (with or without removal of the ovaries) are performed to treat this condition.
What foods to avoid if you've got endometriosis?
A woman should lookout of her diet if she is affected by endometriosis. Foods rich in fiber (fruits, vegetables, legumes), foods containing fatty acids (salmons, walnuts) and anti-oxidant foods like oranges, spinach, berries, tea are recommended for patients.
On the opposite side, those that suffer from this condition should avoid consuming Trans fat, gluten-containing foods, red meat, high FODMAP diet ( Fermentable oligo-, di-, mono-saccharides and polyols), alcohol and caffeine-containing items.
What are some natural remedies for endometriosis?
There are some natural remedies which will help in handling endometriosis. Hydrotherapy or heat are often included in methods to treat pain related to endometriosis. Taking a hot or warm water bath or placing predicament bottles at the lower abdomen region can provide relief from cramps and pain.
Stress reduction therapies like relaxation response, mindfulness meditation, diaphragmatic breathing are often useful for decreasing cortisol levels within the body because endometriosis causes hormonal imbalance.
Doing pelvic massage with purgative also gives relief from the pain of endometriosis. Other remedies are often the utilization of herbal supplements, light exercises and selection of anti-inflammatory foods, rest, etc