Top 12 Endometriosis Symptoms for Women

Shalini aged 28 years has been married for 3 years. Now, Shalini and her husband have decided it is time for family planning. Despite all efforts, Shalini is not able to conceive and has been experiencing pain during sexual intercourse and heavy menstrual bleeding too. She consulted a gynecologist, who after a thorough examination and an ultrasound test revealed that she is suffering from endometriosis.

1 out of 10 women in their reproductive age tend to suffer from endometriosis pain and they aren’t even aware of it, because they are not aware of signs of endometriosis. If you experience any abnormalities in your menstrual cycle or difficulty in conceiving, you must not delay in getting a check-up to find out whether these are endometriosis symptoms.

So, what is endometriosis? How to detect that your menstrual problems are due to endometriosis? This and much more will be revealed to you in our discussion in this article. We will first help you identify common endometriosis symptoms and then discuss the best endometriosis treatment to get relief.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a term that comes from the word “Endometrium”, which is the lining of a female uterus. Endometriosis meaning is when the endometrial lining grows on the bowel, ovaries or the tissue lining on the pelvis. Although the tissue that grows at an unusual place is not cancerous, it can lead to various complications in a woman of reproductive age. It is mainly found in women between 25 to 40 years of age and tends to play havoc on their menstrual cycles and often leading them to infertility and endometriosis pain.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

All women might not experience the same endometriosis symptoms. Different women may show different signs of endometriosis.

Some of the common endometriosis symptoms are:

1. Heavy menstrual bleeding
2. Prolonged menstrual bleeding exceeding 7 days
3. Bleeding between periods or Spotting
4. Painful periods
5. Pain during sexual intercourse
6. Painful cramps before and after the periods
7. Urinary and Bowel problems
8. Fatigue
9. Nausea and Morning Sickness
10. Lower back and pelvic pain
11. Infertility

Causes of Endometriosis

To date, experts have not found any particular cause for endometriosis. However, some theories suggest that endometriosis takes place when some leftover tissues after the menstruation cycle fall back into the fallopian tubes and reattach for this abnormal growth called endometriosis. Besides, some theories revealed that this condition may take place when endometrial tissue travels and implants through blood. On the other hand, another cause of endometriosis could be direct transplantation after the cesarean section. Some women also tend to experience such a problem due to genetic factors too.

1. Endometrial cell transport
2. Transformation of embryonic cells
3. Peritoneal cells undergo transformation.
4. Retrograde menstruation.
5. Autoimmune diseases

Diagnosis of Endometriosis

To get a proper endometriosis treatment, it is essential to first diagnose it at an early stage. A gynecologist will first conduct a physical examination of the woman’s pelvic region followed by certain tests and examinations like:

• Ultrasound
• CT Scan
• MRI Scan

If the doctor fails to diagnose the proper condition, then endometriosis diagnosis is done through laparoscopy and biopsies.

Stages of Endometriosis

There are four main stages of endometriosis depending on the location, size, depth, and many endometrial implants. These four stages of endometriosis are:

1. Minimal Stage
2. Mild Stage
3. Moderate Stage
4. Severe Stage

Treatment for Endometriosis

Thankfully, medical science is getting better and better day by day, so we have various treatment options to cure endometriosis conditions in females. Depending on the severity of the conditions, your doctor may prescribe any of the following endometriosis treatments:

1. Pain Relief Medications

Your doctor may start by prescribing you with some over-the-counter painkillers to subside the endometrial pain and discomfort. This treatment will work fine if you are in the minimal stage of endometriosis.

2. Hormonal Treatment

Secondly, your doctor may advise you to go for hormonal therapy to stop the pain and progression of endometriosis to a large extent. Moreover, hormonal therapy will be effective in regulating monthly hormonal changes in your body. Since the main reason for the growth of endometrial tissues is the excess of estrogen, therefore, through hormonal treatment, the doctor tries to control the estrogen production in the body.

3. Hormonal Contraceptives

Likewise, in a large number of cases where there is no desire for a baby, the doctor may prescribe hormonal contraceptives like birth control pills, vaginal rings, and patches. They may also suggest you with Depo Provera Injection to stop your menstruation to stop the growth of these unwanted implants.

4. Lifestyle Changes

For women who are afraid of the side effects of hormonal therapies and other treatments, the doctor may suggest some lifestyle changes. They are advised to eat healthy food and avoid food that produces estrogen. Besides, they are advised to indulge in regular exercising routines to manage their endometriosis symptoms. Moreover, they are advised to stop consumption of caffeine and alcohol to get relief from endometriosis pain.

5. Conservative Surgery

Now, what about women who want to conceive but are not able to due to endometriosis? For them, the best endometriosis treatment is conservative surgery. Through this surgical procedure called laparoscopy, the endometrial implants are removed without damaging the reproductive organs.

6. Hysterectomy Surgery

If nothing helps get relief from signs of endometriosis, then as a last recourse, your doctor may suggest hysterectomy surgery. This is a surgery to remove the whole uterus and cervix. Moreover, the ovaries that produce estrogen are removed to cease the growth of endometrial tissue.

The Bottom Line

It’s not easy to be a woman because many women especially in their reproductive years are most likely to suffer from hormonal imbalance issues like endometriosis. An early diagnosis is essential to get the right treatment for endometriosis. Much relief from endometriosis pain can be expected from advanced medicines and hormonal therapies. Moreover, some dietary changes and natural remedies may offer some relief. Remember that most of the signs of endometriosis tend to vanish after menopause.