Symptoms

The most common symptoms include:

 

• Pain in the pelvic area which can radiate to the legs;

• Pain during menstruation (Dysmenorrhea);

• Pain during intercourse (Dyspareunia);

• Pain during bowel movement (Dyschezia);

• Pain during urination (Dysuria);

• Back pain; 

• Intestinal complaints;

• Fatigue/weariness;

• Infertility;

 

Causes

The causes for endometriosis remain unknown and there is therefore no cure for this condition. Some hypothesis around what causes endometriosis are:

 

• Retrograde menstruation: it is believed that menstrual tissue flows backwards through the fallopian tubes (called “retrograde flow”) and deposits on the pelvic organs where it seeds and grows.

• Genetic predisposition: It has been demonstrated that first-degree relatives of women with this disease are more likely to develop endometriosis. And when there is a hereditary link, the disease tends to be worse in the next generation.

• Immune system dysfunction: Some women with endometriosis appear to display certain immunologic defects or dysfunctions. Whether this is a cause or effect of the disease remains unknown.

 

Diagnosis

There is a significant diagnostic delay of endometriosis because symptoms of the disease are not easily recognised by doctors or by women themselves. Symptoms can vary considerably and there are many other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

 

Gynaecologist will usually ask patients about their symptoms and carry out an internal pelvic exam. Other common tests include ultrasound and MRI.

 

The only way to diagnose endometriosis is via laparoscopy with “visual inspection”, which is a surgical procedure in which a small incision is made, usually in the navel, through which a viewing tube (laparoscope) is inserted.

 

Treatment

Since there is no known cure for endometriosis, treatments focus on relieving symptoms and improve patients’ quality of life:

 

• Pain management: this includes pain medication which ranges from over-the-counter pain relievers to strong prescription pain relievers.

• Hormonal treatments: hormonal treatments for endometriosis are designed to attempt to temper oestrogen production in a woman’s body.  Hormonal therapy is used to suppress the menstrual period to prevent the monthly bleeding.

• Surgery: is the only definitive way to diagnose endometriosis, and in most cases the disease can be diagnosed and treated in the same procedure. The success of surgery is, however, surgeon dependent, so do try to find someone who is experienced in the surgical removal of endometriosis.