Endometriosis Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment Centre

Endometriosis is a painful condition in which tissue similar to the endometrium (the inner tissue lining the uterus) gets implanted beyond the uterine boundary. Women with endometriosis have endometrium developed over the surface of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs.

During regular menstruation, the endometrium developed outside the uterus thickens, breaks, and bleeds causing heavy menstrual flow and painful periods. The endometrial tissue can get trapped during periods, or sometimes the endometrium on the ovaries forms cysts called endometriomas. Other conditions like scar formations, pelvic adhesions (a condition where the pelvic tissues and organs stick to each other), and infertility are associated with endometriosis.

Almost 11% of the women after puberty are affected by this condition and most of the women are of the age group of 30-40 years causing problems in conceiving.

Symptoms of endometriosis

Some of the common symptoms of endometriosis are:

• Acute pelvic pain during menstruation (dysmenorrhea)
• Abdominal cramps with lower backache
• Pain during intercourse
• Painful bowel movements
• Heavy menstrual flow
• Bleeding in between periods (intermenstrual bleeding)
• Infertility
• Constipation, bloating, nausea or diarrhea during menstruation
• Fatigue and general weakness

What causes endometriosis?

There are several theories to explain the possible causes of endometriosis like;

• Hormonal induction: Hormones like estrogen can help induce endometrial cell implants on other organs.
• Surgery: Surgeries such as hysterectomy, C-sections may leave the endometrial cells attached to the pelvic incisions.
• Endometrial cell transport: The blood vessels and the lymphatic system can help transport the endometrial cells to other distant organs.
• Improper immune response: The immune system may not recognize the endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus and destroy it.
• Retrograde menstruation: The menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows backward through the fallopian tubules to other pelvic organs.

Diagnosis of endometriosis

Endometriosis can be assessed with a pelvic examination followed by diagnostic tests such as:

• Imaging tests like ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provide images of the location and size of endometrial implants.
• Laparoscopy involves a small incision below the navel allowing insertion of a camera and light embedded device called a laparoscope to view the extent of endometrium growth.