Endometriosis

What is endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb starts to grow in other places outside the womb, such as the ovaries. This tissue behaves like normal lining of the womb and bleeds every month. As there is no way to exit this is trapped, causing irritation of surrounding tissue and pain. It is quite a common condition affecting 1 in 10 women, most common age being 30-40.

What are the symptoms

The symptoms and their severity vary between patients. Some women do not have any symptoms. The severity of the pain doesnot necessarily correlate with the extent of the condition.

Some of the common symptoms are

Painful periods

Pelvic (lower tummy) pain, lower back pain

Pain during and/or after sexual intercourse

Pain on opening bowel/passing urine mainly during periods

Heavy periods , bleeding in between periods

Blood in Poo or Wee during periods

Difficulty in getting pregnant

how is endometriosis diagnosed

Clinical examination - Examination of tummy, vaginal and/or rectal examination.

Ultrasound - Abdominal or vaginal ultrasound to check for any endometriotic cysts on the ovaries

Laparoscopy - Key hole examination of the tummy to check for the location, size and severity of the endometriosis. This is performed under general anaesthesia

when to see a gynaecologist

See your doctor if you have symptoms that may indicate endometriosis especially if they're having a big impact on your life.

how is endometriosis treated

The treatment will depend on the severity of your symptoms, age, child bearing wishes. There are different options and your gynaecologist should be able to help you choose the one that suits you best.

The options include medical treatment to help ease the symptoms and surgical treatment to cut away the areas of endometriosis

Medical treatment include pain killers to ease the symptoms of pain and hormone therapy to shrink and slow down the growth of endometrial tissue. This is not a permanent cure and the symptoms might return after stopping the hormonal treatment.

Surgical treatment will include keyhole operation under general anaesthesia to remove the areas of endometriosis or organs affected. This will help reduce symptoms of pain and also improve the chances of fertility if desired.

If there is severe endometriosis and your family is complete you may be offered total hysterectomy and removal of tubes and ovaries and areas affected by endometriosis.