Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where cells similar to those that line the uterus grow in other areas of your body, especially around your ovaries and behind your uterus. Endometriosis affects one in 10 women. It can sometimes cause severe pain and might reduce your fertility.

for a diagnosis and more information

Endometriosis affects everyone differently

The severity of symptoms is often related to the location of endometriosis rather than the extent of the disease.

It’s common for women to experience a slow and steady progression of symptoms

Endometriosis can cause different types of pain

For example: pain that stops you from doing things you usually do.

Endometriosis might also cause: asthma

What causes endometriosis? We don’t know exactly what causes endometriosis, but there are some possible causes and risk factors. Your period normally flows out of your vagina, but sometimes it can flow back along your fallopian tubes into your pelvis. The blood, which contains endometrial cells, is absorbed by the body or broken down in 90% of women.

In some women the cells can stick to areas outside the uterus, leading to endometriosis. You can develop endometriosis if your immune system doesn’t stop the growth of endometrial tissue outside your uterus. Women who have a close relative with endometriosis are 7 to 10 times more likely to get endometriosis.

Endometriosis can’t be prevented, but some factors might reduce your risk.

For example: The risk of endometriosis developing may also decrease with each pregnancy. This may be due to an increase in the progesterone hormone during pregnancy.

It can take time to diagnose endometriosis

The average time to get a diagnosis is 7 years. Most women are diagnosed after having a Ultrasound and MRI are being used more often to help diagnose endometriosis. will explain the different treatment options based on your symptoms and stage of life.

Some people may be able to manage the symptoms and reduce any pain with medicines such as ibuprofen. Hormone therapy may reduce the pain and severity of the endometriosis by suppressing the growth of endometrial cells and stopping any bleeding. Options for hormone therapy include: gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH).

Ask your doctor about how they work and the possible side effects of each therapy. Surgery can improve symptoms and the quality of life for women with endometriosis. The type of surgery you might need will depend on your situation.

For example: bowel surgery – if endometriosis has grown in the bowel. may be required in extreme cases. Make sure you understand the potential benefits and risks of each option before you decide. Surgery by laparoscopy is an effective way to treat endometriosis.

But a combination of surgery and hormone therapy can improve outcomes. Some studies have shown there is a delay in endometriosis recurring if the surgery is followed by treatment with some types of hormone therapy or the Mirena® , but few studies have been done to evaluate the benefits. Many women use natural therapies (complementary medicine and therapies) to manage symptoms of endometriosis, like period pain and inflammation.

While these medicines and therapies are popular, there isn’t enough research to prove their effectiveness.

About endometriosis There are many treatment options available

Contact your doctor Symptoms of endometriosis painful periods pain during or after sex abdominal, lower back and pelvic pain pain during ovulation , including pain in the thighs or legs pain when going to the toilet to wee or poo pain that gets worse over time bladder and bowel problems bloating around the time of your period tiredness mood changes vaginal discomfort reduced fertility Backwards menstruation Your immune system Your family history Reducing your risk of endometriosis you have irregular periods you breastfeed you have progestin-only hormone therapy Getting a diagnosis laparoscopy.

This is the only way to confirm if endometrial tissue is present Managing endometriosis After you are diagnosed with endometriosis, your gynaecologist Medicines Hormone therapy the combined oral contraceptive pill progestogens Surgery laparoscopy – a commonly performed keyhole surgery via the abdomen laparotomy – open surgery for more severe endometriosis A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) Combined treatment intrauterine device (IUD) Other therapies There are different non-drug options for treating endometriosis, such as pelvic floor physiotherapy, psychology (specifically cognitive behavioural therapy) and diet More information For more detailed information, related resources, articles and podcasts, visit Jean Hailes for Women’s Health Where to get help GP (doctor) Gynaecologist Endometriosis United States Jean Hailes for Women’s Health .

Key Points

• It can sometimes cause severe pain and might reduce your fertility
• severity of symptoms is often related to the location of endometriosis rather than the extent of the disease
• It’s common for women to experience a slow and steady progression of symptoms
• Endometriosis can cause different types of pain
• Endometriosis might also cause: asthma