Endometriosis is a condition in which the cells that form the endometrial lining of the uterus begin to develop outside the uterine cavity, mostly on the ovaries.
This abnormal growth of the endometrial cells on the surface of the ovaries or any other organ can damage the function of that particular organ. This condition happens in the availability of the hormone estrogen and hence, endometriosis is typically seen in pre-menopausal women.
Endometriosis is in quite an aggressive form in post-menopausal women, and involves complete progesterone resistance. This condition is not very common and is estimated to occur in about 6 to 10% of women.
The reason of this gynecological medical problem is unknown. But it is thought to happen genetically. Endometriosis can be caused by retrograde menstruation, that is, the backflow of menstrual blood into the Fallopian tubules. Another cause can include immune dysfunction.
Symptoms of endometriosis Endometrial cells growing outside the uterine cavity will react to the hormone estrogen in the same way they use to do inside the uterus. This means that they will become thick in the presence of estrogen forming a lump or mass. This may prompt the onset of serious symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of endometriosis are:
Pelvic Pain A major symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain. The pain can vary from severe to mild. It may occur on both the sides of the pelvis, lower back as well as can occur in the legs and in the rectal area.
The intensity of pain differs amongst the affected women. Some of them may have quite extensive endometriosis, but may have less pain.
While some might have quite a small mass, but may have severe pain. During the days of periods or just before it, the pain in the pelvic area or lower abdomen may become worse.
Pain during periods Pain may also occur during periods because of endometriosis. This is known as dysmenorrhea in medical terms. Painful periods due to endometriosis are not the same as the normal ones. Amid normal periods, the pain is not so severe and does not last as long as the pain that occurs due to endometriosis.
Pain during sexual activity? Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse that may last up to a few hours after sexual activity because of endometriosis.
Dysuria The medical terminology for painful urination is dysuria. Urinary urgency, frequency and pain during urination can likewise be some of the symptoms of endometriosis.
Rectal Bleeding A rare symptom of endometriosis is bleeding from the back or rectal bleeding.
Coughing Blood Some not very common symptoms of endometriosis are blood in cough andchest pain which is when the endometrial cells develop in the lungs.
Infertility A lot of women with infertility have endometriosis as a common disease. A serious impact of endometriosis is the formation of adhesions between the organs. Scarring caused these adhesions. Adhesion between organs can cause them to dislocate. Bounding can take place between the fallopian tubules, ovaries, uterus, bladder and the bowel.
Organ adhesion It can be really painful. The relation between endometriosis and organ adhesion is not well comprehended. But there are just some facts like these lesions release certain factors that are harmful to embryos or gametes. In women who fail to conceive endometriosis is a secondary condition.
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