Endometriosis is a common health disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. Essentially, it’s when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus starts growing outside, causing pelvic pain and other symptoms. This condition can impact various aspects of a woman’s life, from her daily activities to her ability to conceive. However, despite its prevalence, endometriosis is a topic that is often overlooked or misunderstood. To make you understand, this blog will talk about endometriosis, its symptoms, effective treatment options to treat it, and where one can get the best endometriosis treatment in Mumbai. So, let’s start!
What Do You Understand By Endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disorder in which the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine cavity. This lining of the uterus is called endometrium.
Endometrium typically results when endometrial-like tissue grows on the bowel, ovaries, and pelvic tissues. Although it is generally rare for endometrial-like tissue to spread beyond the pelvic region, but it is not impossible.
During your menstrual cycle, the tissue similar to the lining of the uterus that is out of place reacts to hormonal changes. It leads to pain and inflammation. The tissue further grows, thickness, and breaks down, but it doesn’t leave the body and gets stuck in the pelvis with time.
This tissue trapped in the pelvis can result in scar formation, irritation, fertility problems, severe pain during menstrual cycle, and adhesions, in which tissues bind one’s pelvic organs together.
Endometriosis Symptoms
Endometriosis symptoms vary from an individual to an individual. Some people experience mild symptoms, while others have moderate to severe symptoms. Though the most commonly experienced symptom is pelvic pain, there are still others that can vary from woman to woman:
- Painful periods
- Infertility
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Cramps 1 or 2 weeks around menstruation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding or bleeding between periods
- Discomfort with bowel movements
- Lower back pain
What Treatment Options Are Available For Endometriosis?
Depending on one’s health concerns and desired goals, the treatment options available for endometriosis are:
Pain Medication: The doctor might suggest taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen to help with painful menstrual cramps.
Hormone Therapy: The hormonal imbalance during the menstrual cycle leads endometrial implants to thicken, break down, and bleed. However, by providing supplementary hormones, the therapy can slow down endometrial tissue growth and stop new implant formation.
Hormonal Contraceptives: Birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings help regulate hormones that cause endometrial tissue to build up each month. They can make periods lighter and shorter. For some with endometriosis, using these contraceptives continuously can reduce or stop pain
Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone Agonists & Antagonists: These medications help to lower estrogen levels and stop menstruation by blocking hormones that stimulate the ovaries. It reduces the growth of endometrial tissues. Moreover, taking a loose dose of estrogen and progestin along with Gonadotropin-releasing Hormones decreases menopausal side effects such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss.
Progestin Therapy: Several progestin treatments, like a hormonal IUD, implant, injection, or pill, can stop periods and the growth of endometrial tissue, easing the symptoms of endometriosis.
Aromatase Inhibitors: Aromatase inhibitors help reduce the amount of estrogen in the body. A gynaecologist may recommend an aromatase inhibitor along with a progestin or combination hormonal contraceptive to treat endometriosis.
Conservative Surgery: This Surgery helps women dealing with endometriosis who wish to get pregnant. It removes the tissue implants while keeping the uterus and ovaries. It can also ease severe pain, though the condition and pain might return. The surgery can be done with small incisions (laparoscopy) or, in severe cases, with traditional abdominal surgery.
Fertility Treatment: Endometriosis can lead to complications when trying to conceive a child. In this case, the doctor may recommend a fertility treatment supervised by a fertility specialist. The treatment can vary from stimulating the ovaries to produce more mature eggs to In-vitro Fertilization.
Hysterectomy With Removal of The Ovaries: Removing the uterus (hysterectomy) and ovaries (oophorectomy) was once considered a standard treatment to treat endometriosis, but reproductive healthcare experts avoid it. This surgery can trigger early menopause due to hormone loss from the ovaries, which might alleviate pain for some patients but not for all. Additionally, it increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic issues, and premature death. However, in some cases, removal of the uterus is also suggested to those who are not planning to get pregnant to treat signs and symptoms associated with endometriosis, like heavy menstrual bleeding and uterine cramping.
Connect With The Best Gynecologist In Mumbai!
Endometriosis is a chronic condition among women, but most are not aware of it. Its exact cause is still unknown, but effective treatments such as medications, hormone therapy, and surgery are available to manage its causes and side effects, such as fertility issues and pain. It is important to consult a gynaecologist if one notices any signs of endometriosis.
Consult the best gynecologist in Mumbai with Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi at Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital in Mumbai . With over two decades of experience, she is an expert when it comes to fertility-enhancing surgeries, sexology treatments, etc. To learn more, visit Nanavati Superspeciality Hospital in Mumbai today.
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