Endometriosis Symptoms and Treatments
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects nearly 176 million women throughout the world. It occurs when the endometrium, or the tissue that lines the uterus, grows outside of the uterus and onto other structures of the body. Endometriosis is most commonly found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bowel and occasionally the lining of the pelvic cavity. The following discusses endometriosis symptoms and treatments so that more women can become more aware of this fairly common condition.
Symptoms
Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis and this pain is
strongly related to a woman's menstrual cycle. For most women with
endometriosis, they will often experience dysmenorrhea, or extremely
painful periods. Cramping and pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis is
increased during this time and is often accompanied by pain in the lower
back. A further symptom of endometriosis is spotting or bleeding
between periods and experiencing heavy periods.
It is also fairly common in women with endometriosis to encounter
painful urination or bowel movements during their period. Many women
with endometriosis will also experience pain during or after
intercourse. Additional symptoms of endometriosis include fatigue,
nausea, diarrhea, bloating and constipation. These symptoms are highly
correlated to a woman's menstrual cycle.
Treatments
While there is no cure for endometriosis, treatment options are
available that help to reduce pain and other symptoms associated with
endometriosis. For mild cases of endometriosis, it is often helpful for
women to take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as Advil, Motrin or
Aleve, as these may help to lessen painful cramps.
Hormone therapy is another treatment option that can help to ease
symptoms and reduce pain. With this form of treatment, birth control
pills, progestins, danazol, vaginal rings and gonadotropin-releasing
hormone agonists and antagonists may be prescribed. It is believed that
hormone therapy can treat endometriosis by controlling the production of
estrogen.
Surgery is a treatment option that is often reserved for severe cases of
endometriosis and can involve the removal of growths and scar tissue
present on the reproductive organs. In the most severe cases of
endometriosis, a doctor may recommend a hysterectomy, which involves the
surgical removal of the uterus and ovaries.
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