Endometriosis is characterized by a problem with the endometrium, which is the tissue that covers the inner lining of the uterus. Specifically, it is a disease that develops when this tissue grows in other places of the reproductive system—and in rare cases, outside of it. When a woman experiences endometriosis, this tissue can grow in the ovaries, bowels, and in the tissues of the pelvis. Furthermore, in rare cases, it’s possible for this disease to affect other areas. When endometrial tissue grows in other parts of the body, it is called an “endometrial implant.”

Endometrial tissue, on its own, is not harmful; it plays a vital role in pregnancy, as well as in the menstrual cycle. This tissue is formed naturally, and eventually it thickens, breaks down over time, and is ejected from the body. In fact, during menstruation, the blood and dead tissue that is discharged from the vagina is the endometrium. After its life-cycle is complete and there is no pregnancy, the old endometrium has to be gone to make room for the new endometrium.  

Nevertheless, with endometriosis, this same tissue builds up elsewhere in parts of the body that are not designed to hold them. In the same manner as the endometrium in the uterus, these abnormal appearances grow, thicken, and break down. However, unlike the uterine endometrium that sheds through menstruation, the tissue created by endometriosis has nowhere to go and, instead, begins to build up and cause local issues. Some of these issues include irritation, scarring, organ adhesion, severe pain, and infertility.

It is a common disorder that affects around 10 percent of women around the world, and that can be addressed through several means.

Causes

Sadly, while this is a fairly common disorder, its exact causes are unknown. Researchers theorize that it is linked to several risk factors such as a family history of the disease, as well as hormonal disorders that might affect the patient, such as polycystic ovaries.

Diagnosing Endometriosis

The symptoms of this disease are frequently a good indicator of its existence since they are seldom confused with other conditions. Nevertheless, there are many tools that your doctor can use to confirm the diagnosis.

The first tool involves establishing a thorough family history to determine the risk factors associated with your condition. Afterward, the doctor may perform a physical examination where they feel your abdomen for signs of scarring or cysts behind your uterus or on your pelvic tissue. If he suspects that you might have endometriosis, they will need to be further examination via specialized tests, such as a vaginal ultrasound, or through a laparoscopy.

With both of these tools, the doctor can obtain an accurate image of your reproductive organs and determine whether or not your condition is due to endometriosis. However, the only precise method for diagnosing this condition is through a laparoscopy, which is a minor surgical procedure in which a camera is inserted through a small incision so the doctor can examine directly your organs.

Treating Endometriosis

There is only one way to treat endometriosis permanently: through the onset of menopause. Whether natural or through surgical means, the menopause will bring about the hormonal changes necessary for the menstrual process to stop and bring about the end of the cycle. Nevertheless, for women of reproductive age that want to have children, the only options available are to placate the symptoms on both fronts: pain management and the recovery of fertility.

The former is achieved through medication, mostly NSAIDs. However, to improve both ends, the doctor can perform minor surgery to remove the endometrial implants that have accumulated in the pelvic tissues or in other places. If when the doctor is examining the patient through laparotomy, an endometrial cyst or implant is discovered, they can safely remove the affected tissue immediately to get a head start on the treatment.

If the patient is not looking to conceive, however, the best method to treat this disease is through a hysterectomy, which is the removal of the uterus. If the patient opts for this method, the doctor will also need to manually to remove any remaining endometrial cysts and damaged tissue, or else the pain will not subside.

Outlook

While we have many methods at our disposal to treat endometriosis, we are far from understanding exactly what causes it. It is still a chronic condition that can cause significant discomfort across a long stretch of time if left untreated. Luckily, the treatments that exist can, depending on the patient’s wishes, placate the symptoms and help them to conceive, or remove them entirely via the excision of the uterus. Regardless, endometriosis naturally improves on its own after menopause, after which the symptoms should disappear entirely or, at the very least, decrease in intensity.