Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common health problem in women.The endometrial tissue outside your uterus responds to your menstrual cycle hormones the same way the tissue inside your uterus responds - it swells and thickens, then sheds to mark the beginning of the next cycle. It gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus (womb). In women with this problem, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas. The tissues still break down and bleed, but the result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. Trapped blood may lead to the growth of cysts. Cysts, in turn, may form scar tissue and adhesions abnormal tissue that binds organs together. This process can cause pain in the area of misplaced tissue, often the pelvis, especially during your period. Scars and adhesions related to endometriosis also can cause fertility problems. Endometriosis is estimated to affect over 1 million women (estimates range from 3% to 18% of women) in the United States. It is one of the leading causes of pelvic pain and reasons for laparoscopic surgery and hysterectomy in this country. After the initial diagnosis, your physician will classify your condition as stage 1 (minimal), stage 2 (mild), stage 3 (moderate) or stage 4 (extensive) based on the amount of scarring and diseased tissue found. Based on the stage of endometriosis, your physician will determine the best treatment plan for you which may include medication or surgery, or a combination of both.

Endometriosis is an often painful disorder of the female reproductive system. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Rarely, they can be found on the liver, vagina, old surgery scars , and even in the lung or brain. Endometrial implants are generally benign (not cancerous). This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems. Endometriosis isn't the only cause of pelvic pain. If you're experiencing pelvic pain, see your doctor to determine whether endometriosis or another condition is the cause, and to target appropriate treatment.

Causes of Endometriosis

The commn Causes of Endometriosis :

• This ongoing process can cause scarring and adhesions in the tubes and ovaries, and at the end of the fallopian tubes.
• Endometrial cells may be carried to other locations in the body by the blood or lymph fluid circulation.
• Endometrial cells may be moved to another area during surgery, such as an episiotomy after childbirth or a cesarean delivery .
• The growth of this misplaced endometrial tissue can cause distortion of abdominal and pelvic structures and causes the development of adhesions, or scars , within the abdominal and pelvic cavities
• persistent environmental pollutants, such as dioxins, are suspected of contributing to the development of endometriosis. Animal experiments have indicated such an effect, but at levels of exposure higher than those currently seen in humans.
• Endometrial cells may be deposited outside the uterus before birth.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

Some common Symptoms of Endometriosis :

• Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
• You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
• Pain during or after sex.
• Intestinal pain
• Chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis.
• Infertility.
• Fatigue.
• Other Gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea.
• Increasingly painful periods.
• Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramps that can by felt for a week or two before menstruation.

Treatment of Endometriosis

• Presacral neurectomy for central pelvic pain; effective in about 50% or less of appropriate candidates.
• GnRH agonists to induce pseudomenopause (medical oophorectomy), causing remission of the disease (commonly used).
• Androgens such as danazol.
• Progestins and continuous combined hormonal contraceptives (pseudopregnancy regimen) to relieve symptoms by causing a regression of endometrial tissue .
• Laparoscopy is very useful not only to diagnose endometriosis, but to treat it. With the use of scissors, cautery, lasers, hydrodissection, or a sonic scalpel, endometriotic tissue can be ablated or removed in an attempt to restore normal anatomy.
• Laparoscopic removal of endometrial implants with conventional or laser techniques.
• They often work quite well as they not only reduce pain but also menstrual flow. They are commonly used in conjunction with other therapy. For more severe cases narcotic prescription drugs may have to be used.

Women's Health

Adenomyosis
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Wernicke korsakoff synodrome