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What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease where endometrial cells (the cells that normally grow inside the uterus and is shed every month during one’s period) grows outside of the uterus instead - for example, on the outside of the uterus, on the tubes or ovaries, or on the bladder or intestines. Due to this, not only does a person with endometriosis have vaginal bleeding during her period, but she may also have bleeding elsewhere inside the abdomen, which causes irritation and inflammation inside.
Common symptoms and complications
This can cause the periods to be very painful, and sometimes associated with other menstrual symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. In addition, there can also be inflammation during the rest of the month — in particular, people with endometriosis are more likely to experience cramping and pain for several days prior to the period starting.
Over time, this inflammation can lead to scarring within the abdomen, which may create chronic pelvic pain that is not related to menstruation at all. Other symptoms due to endometriosis may include:
- Pain with intercourse
- Pain during bowel movements
- Blood in the stool or urine
In addition, if scarring happens within the uterine tubes (previously known as Fallopian tubes), fertility may be impacted.
How endometriosis is diagnosed
While endometriosis may be suspected based on symptoms, at this time we are unable to confirm the diagnosis without performing surgery (usually laparoscopy - using a camera to view inside the abdomen through a small incision). However, it is not generally recommended for patients to get a definitive diagnosis through surgery before initiating treatment. In fact, the preferred treatment of most of the symptoms of endometriosis is the same whether the diagnosis is made or not.
Make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you may have endometriosis, so we can come up with a personalized treatment plan for you!
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