Do you know endometriosis affects around 10% or close to 190 million women and girls of reproductive age worldwide? This is an alarming number, especially when most of these women may not even know about endometriosis meaning.
Let’s have a quick look into some basics, so the woman’s uterus has endometriosis tissues with a lining known as endometrium. Every month, a woman’s body grows a new endometrium during their menstrual cycle for preparing fertilised eggs. Endometriosis happens with this endometrial tissue. In this article, let’s understand what endometriosis is, its causes, symptoms, and treatment.
What is Endometriosis – Know Everything About It
To comprehend this illness properly, one must know the endometriosis meaning and definition. Endometriosis is a chronic condition linked to excruciating pain that might affect a woman’s healthy and happy life. The reasons for endometriosis are unknown, but to put it simply, it is a painful condition that arises when tissue that resembles the uterus’ inner lining begins to grow outside the uterus.
It further may impact the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and tissue lining the pelvis. This also leads to fertility problems in some women. This situation can begin from your first menstrual period and lasts as long as you reach menopause. Endometriosis causes a chronic inflammation reaction that may form scar tissues in other parts of the body, such as:
- Deep endometriosis in the bladder, recto-vaginal septum, and bowel
- Superficial endometriosis on the pelvic peritoneum
- Cystic ovarian endometriosis in the ovaries
- In rare cases, outside the pelvis
There are four endometriosis stages, as classified by ASRM – American Society of Reproductive Medicine, that are needed for diagnosis and treatment. The stages are:
- Stage 1 – Minimal
- Stage 2 – Mild
- Stage 3 – Moderate
- Stage 4 – Severe
Endometriosis Symptoms – Know the Signs
Chronic pain linked with the menstrual cycle is the main symptom of endometriosis. Even though menstrual pain and cramping happen to almost every woman, people with endometriosis have more severe pain than usual. Some other endometriosis symptoms include the following:
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Pain during periods
- Pain during urination or bowel movement
- Abdominal bloating
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Fatigue or Nausea
- Anxiety or Depression
- Infertility
- Cramps 1-2 weeks around menstruation
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Lower back pain may happen anytime during the menstrual cycle
The signs and symptoms of endometriosis or the severity of the pain may not indicate the growth or the endometriosis stages. People can even have fewer endometriosis tissues and still have a lot of pain or even vice-versa.
A lot of people may not even experience any endometriosis symptoms and only get to know when they are pregnant or during any surgery (not related to this specific condition).
Who are at Risk of Endometriosis?
Although this situation can happen to any woman who gets her menstrual period, it is more common with women between 30s and 40s. You can also get endometriosis if you:
- Never had children
- Have a health condition blocking the normal menstrual blood flow during period from your body
- Menstrual period lasting more than seven days
- Have a family member with endometriosis
- Have a shorter menstrual cycle, which lasts 27 days or less
Endometriosis Treatment for Relief
At present, there is no known cure for endometriosis. Therefore, it is necessary to get regular checkups done if you have the above-listed symptoms. Even though there is no possible cure, the endometriosis treatment offered is aimed at controlling endometriosis symptoms. So, if you are looking for the answer of how to prevent endometriosis, then there is no specific way to prevent it. However, the only way to manage this is through early access to diagnosis. After diagnosis, effective endometriosis treatment is necessary to manage it. Depending on the condition, your doctor may advise you to start with endometriosis medication or laparoscopy surgery.
Is Endometriosis Fatal?
No, endometriosis is not fatal. However, if not treated, it can cause serious complications. Since it can cause bleeding and scars, it can affect the surrounding organs. Its pain can impact your sleep, social life, and relationships, thus impacting the overall quality of life.
Final Thoughts
Endometriosis definition is clear and simple: It is a chronic condition that can have symptoms like irregular menstruation, severe abdominal pain, and, in some cases, infertility. Some women also report gaining weight as a side effect of this condition, which may be further attributed to endometriosis treatment. Even its discomfort could be a factor in weight gain. Therefore, you must consult your gynecologist and get a proper treatment plan to manage its symptoms and maintain a healthy weight.
