Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition, in which the endometrium starts depositing on the ovaries, peritoneum, vagina, rectum or the pelvic lining. Endometrial tissues are made up of connective tissues, blood cells and glands. In time, these tissues start to break down and thicken and also react to the menstrual hormones and bleed.
Symptoms
Most of the patients are asymptomatic. When you have them, they can include:
- Back pain during your period
- Pain during urination and defecation.
- Severe menstrual cramps
- Pelvic pain often associated with menstrual periods
- Unusual or heavy bleeding during periods
- Blood in your stool or urine
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Pain with intercourse
- Fatigue that won’t go away
- Infertility
The severity of your pain isn’t necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. You could have mild endometriosis with severe pain, or you could have advanced endometriosis with little or no pain.
Diagnosis of Endometriosis
The following diagnostic procedures are used for detecting endometriosis.
Ultrasound
Transvaginal ultrasound gives a clear picture of the reproductive organs and helps doctors identify cysts responsible for endometriosis.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy is the gold standard. It is performed by making a tiny cut on the navel and inserting a laparoscope. This tool is a viewing instrument, through which doctors check for endometrial tissues if any.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
MRI helps to get detailed images of the organs and tissues of the female body. This procedure is performed to guide the surgeon in checking for the size and site of the endometrial implants.
Treatment Options
Pain medication: Prostagenic hormones – Danazal, oral contraceptive pills, long-acting Gn-Rh agonasts, is the primary endometriosis treatment. If it is not effective, surgery could be considered, depending on the severity of the signs & symptoms. Surgery will also depend upon whether you plan to conceive or not. It can be laparoscopic or open surgery.
Fertility Treatment
Endometriosis can often lead to pregnancy failures. Fertility treatments are recommended by doctors to enhance egg production by stimulating the ovaries. Ovulation Induction, IUI, IVF, ICSI are the possible treatment options for women suffering from endometriosis. The endometrial ‘receptivity’ or ‘non-receptivity’ can be detected by the doctor before embryo implantation. Endometriosis can cause an imbalance in reproductive functions, leading to ovulatory dysfunction and defective implantation, and these can be improved with ART(Assisted Reproductive Technology).
Surgery
One effective endometriosis treatment is performing surgery to remove endometrial implants and cysts. The operation preserves the uterus and ovaries are preserved, increasing the chances of conception. The pain is also minimized through surgery.
Although there is no permanent cure for the disease, heating pads and medicines can help reduce the pain from time to time. When suffering from endometriosis, one of the best things you can do is to seek out a specialist. Arrange your consultation with our experts at Aaradhya Fertility Centre. Call us 08886592229 or click on http://aaradhyafertility.com/
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