Common reproductive health concerns in women: Endometriosis

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Endometriosis is a word I still find very hard to spell and pronounce, and for someone who loves to learn new words I took it up as a challenge and that brought me to learn more about this condition and how not so uncommon it is. painful menstruation was something often somewhat bragged about while growing up -even though they wouldn't accept it or maybe it's just my thoughts finding their way to the light, on this blog, for the whole world to see. I digress-.

As someone who has a pretty painless menstruation phase, I always wondered what it felt like to have that excruciating pain that snuck up on my friends, classmates, or colleagues during that time of the month. At first, I wondered if that made me abnormal, some concluded that a painless period equaled a painful pregnancy and delivery. Soon I found myself begging for the pain to escape that predicament, even though looking back now if this case were true -that is-, I would rather endure the pain during pregnancy and labor than every month for the rest of my menstruating life.

'But come to find out' that everything I believed was a lie, or at least a myth -same difference-. A painless period is in fact the way it was created to be while at the same time, everyone experiences at least some sort of discomfort during pregnancy and childbirth. So circling back to the initial message I was trying to pass, painful periods are in fact not normal and this could be a sign of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal growth of tissue similar to the uterus's endometrial lining. This tissue can develop in several locations outside the uterus, most commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even on the pelvic lining. In some cases, these tissues can also be found in the vagina, lungs, intestines or bladder, etc., which leads to a range of painful symptoms, including but not limited to chronic pelvic pain, severe menstrual cramps, painful intercourse, and discomfort during bowel movements or urination.

In addition to the physical pain, endometriosis can also impact the individuals' quality of life, in regards to their emotional well-being, relationships, and daily activities. In most cases, this condition can also lead to complications such as infertility, as the abnormal tissue growth can interfere with reproductive function. It has been noted that 1 in 10 women suffer from endometriosis, and despite its prevalence, it is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed, leading to delays in effective treatment.

Endometriosis is a medical condition characterized by the abnormal growth of tissue similar to the uterus's endometrial lining

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Now, just because you have painful menstrual periods doesn't automatically mean you have endometriosis, some other symptoms and tests must come into play to rule out other possible conditions leading to a correct diagnosis. While the confirmatory tests (laparoscopy) will require you to go visit your doctor, here are some symptoms you can look out for.

• Dysmenorrhea- Also known as painful periods, this may start before a menstrual period and last for a few days or throughout your period. You also may experience lower back and stomach pain.

• Painful sexual intercourse.

• Pain with bowel movements or urination- These symptoms are usually experienced before or during menstruation

• Heavy menstrual flow and bleeding between periods.

• Infertility- For some people, endometriosis is first found during tests for infertility treatment.

• Other include; bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, etc., and these symptoms are often experienced before or during menstrual periods.

  
  

However, there are cases of asymptomatic persons with endometriosis who have no symptoms. the condition is often discovered when they can't get pregnant or as a result of other medical cases requiring surgery.

What causes Endometriosis?

While endometriosis is one of those medical conditions that has not yet been traced to a cause or causes, some stipulations have been made based on several researches. some of these possible causes includes

Retrograde menstruation

this is when your period flows upward through your fallopian tubes and into your pelvis instead of out your vagina. It’s a normal part of menstruation but can lead endometriosis.

Compromised immune system

Your immune system is your body’s first-line defense against invaders like germs. It helps protect you from getting sick and promotes healing when you’re unwell or injured. When it is being compromised, the immune system may not be able to effectively remove endometrial tissue that grows outside of the uterus.

Genetics

While experts do not know the exact cause of endometriosis, they do see a connection between a family history of the condition and an increased risk of developing it at some point.

Hormones

One of the most common hormone linked to endometriosis is estrogen as women with endometriosis often have high levels of estrogen, which can cause inflammation and pain. As estrogen levels rise during the menstrual cycle to thicken the endometrium for implantation, it also causes the endometrium to grow outside of the uterus, which can lead to pain and discomfort, as in the case of endometriosis.

Surgery

There is a possibility of endometrial cells being collected and transferred during various types of abdominal surgeries, including but not limited to cesarean sections (C-sections) and hysterectomies. In the process of such surgeries, endometrial cells may become dislodged from the uterine lining and can be introduced into the surgical site. The presence of these cells outside their normal location can raise concerns regarding potential complications, such as the development of endometriosis.

Other causes of endometriosis include; environmental factors like exposure to chemical contaminants, obesity, stress, lack of sleep, eating inflammatory foods, etc.

In addition to the physical pain, endometriosis can also impact the individuals' quality of life, in regards to their emotional well-being, relationships, and daily activities.

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Management and Treatment of Endometriosis

The treatment plan for endometriosis is largely dependent on the severity of the condition or symptoms, age, and plan for future pregnancies Medication and surgery (or both) are possible treatment options.

Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are the first-line treatment option to alleviate pain associated with endometriosis. They work by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins, which are responsible for promoting inflammation and pain, as such effectively managing the pain that many individuals with endometriosis experience, particularly during their menstrual cycles.

While over-the-counter NSAIDs can provide significant relief for many, they may not address the underlying causes of endometriosis, in this case, hormonal therapies including the use of birth control to lighten or reduce menstrual pain can be employed. Also, Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonists or agonists ( e.g. Lupron) stop the hormones that cause your menstrual cycle and put your reproductive system on hold as a way to relieve your pain. When considering the use of hormonal therapies, it is important to consult your healthcare provider and note that your symptoms can come back if you stop taking the medication. however, these medications are not recommended during pregnancy or if you’re actively attempting to achieve pregnancy.

Another treatment plan is the surgical approach if recommended by your provider, either a Laparoscopic surgery or a Hysterectomy. There are always risks attached to any surgical procedure, but surgery for endometriosis can be an effective way to relieve pain and improve fertility as the goal of surgery is to remove the endometriosis tissue.

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Endometriosis can impact your life in various ways, be it physically or emotionally, and in varying degrees for different individuals. However, this condition is bound to create challenges for you as you may experience constant pain -including painful sexual intercourse-. The emotional side effects can arise while navigating infertility or even in cases where pregnancy is not desired, you may have to take medications daily or have surgery to treat endometriosis. Thankfully, there is a range of treatment options available to provide relief from the symptoms of endometriosis.

There is a lot more to learn about endometriosis that may not be reflected in this blog post, and if this has sparked any interest in you, you can click here to read more about it. Don't forget to subscribe to this blog for more informative content. Also, like and share with as many people as you can who would benefit from content like this.

Until next time, Have a wonderful day ahead.