“When pain is to be born, a little courage helps more than much knowledge, a little human sympathy more than much courage, and the least tincture of the love of God more than all.”
― C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
What is Endometriosis?
Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant), usually affecting women in their childbearing years from their teens to menopausal age. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region.
In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together.
Endometriosis varies from woman to woman. Some women don't know that they have it until they go to see a doctor because they can't get pregnant or have a procedure for another problem. Some have mild cramping that they think is normal for them. In other women, the pain and bleeding are so bad that they aren't able to work or go to school.
Cause:
The cause of endometriosis is unknown.
- Your immune system may not be getting rid of endometrial cells outside of the uterus like it should.
- Heavy bleeding or an abnormal structure of the uterus, cervix, or vagina causes too many endometrial cells to go up through the fallopian tubes and then into the belly. (This is called retrograde menstruation).
- Blood or lymph fluid may carry endometrial cells to other parts of the body. Or the cells may be moved during a surgery, such as an episiotomy or a cesarean section.
- Cells in the belly and pelvis may change into endometrial cells.
- Endometrial cells may have formed outside the uterus when you were a fetus.
- It may be passed down through families.
- Some experts believe that all women experience some menstrual tissue backup and that an immune system problem or a hormonal problem allows this tissue to grow in the women who develop endometriosis (I personally feel that my MTHFR mutation is the cause of my endometriosis).
Symptoms:
Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop. Fortunately, effective treatments are available.
Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may include:
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period and may include lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
- Pain with bowel movements or urination. You're most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
- Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
- Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
- Fatigue.
- Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
Infertility Problems:
Between 20% and 40% of women who are infertile have endometriosis (some have more than one possible cause of infertility). Experts don't fully understand how endometriosis causes infertility. It could be that:
- Scar tissue (adhesions) may form at the sites of implants and change the shape or function of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus.
- The endometrial implants may change the chemical and hormonal makeup in the fluid that surrounds the organs in the abdominal cavity (peritoneal fluid). This may change the menstrual cycle or prevent a pregnancy.
Treatment and prevention:
Endometriosis cannot be prevented. Let me repeat: ENDOMETRIOSIS CANNOT BE PREVENTED. There are many methods of treatment that can lessen the symptoms of Endo. Endometriosis is a long lasting (chronic) disease. There is no known cure but there are lots of options for treatment.
- Medications like NSAIDS/anti-inflammatories. Start taking the recommended dose as soon as your discomfort begins or the day before your menstrual period is scheduled to start.
- Hormone therapy (patch, pill, or rings) to stop monthly ovulation and the growth, shedding and bleeding that makes endometriosis painful. Personally for me, pregnancy (which is a form of hormone therapy) and Minastrin birth control pills, were the best treatment that worked for ME. Find what works for you. Work with your doctor with this and be honest about your side effects. Right after I had my twins, I was on progesterone and the side effects (mostly hot flashes) were too intense and my doctor switched me to a birth control, which has a little more estrogen.
- Surgery. Please, please, please I beg of you to find a good surgeon that has extensive knowledge of endometriosis. I made that mistake with my first laparotomy surgery (ended up with a knick in my bowel). Surgery is used to properly diagnose, treat endometriosis by excision and/or a hysterectomy or Oophorectomy (taking the ovaries and tubes too).
- Acupuncture and acupressure are used to relieve pain (I've never used this but considering trying it).
- Meditation is used to lower stress and to relieve pain.
Myths and facts about Endo:
Fact: Affects 1 in 10 girls and women in the U.S.
Myth: Endo is caused by unhealthy living or bad habits.
Fact: Endo can be present during fetal development.
Myth: There is a cure for Endo.
Fact: On average in the U.S. it takes 10 years from symptom onset to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Myth: A hysterectomy will cure endometriosis.
Fact: There is a lack of awareness.
Myth: Severe "period pain" is normal.
Fact: Women's physical, mental, and social well-being is impacted by the disease, potentially affecting their ability to finish an education, maintain a career, with a consequent effect on their relationships, social activities, and in some cases fertility.
Educate yourself. Find out more...
Mayoclinic.org
Endometriosisassn.org
Endofound.org
Endometriosis.org
Stopendo.com
The Spoon Theory
Peacewithendo.com
Support:
Endocenter.org
Dailystrength.org
Endometriosis.supportgroups.com
Diet and exercise:
Endo-resolved.com
Youngwomenshealth.org
Awareness:
Worldwide EndoMarch
Find a doctor in Utah:
There is only one doctor that I will refer women who suffer from endometriosis/obstetrics. Endometriosis is a complex disease and requires a very educated, skilled doctor/surgeon. Do your homework and make sure that whoever you allow to mess with your "guts," that they know exactly what they are doing. This doctor saved my life!
![Picture](/uploads/5/4/5/0/54506813/1927829.jpg?116)
Dr. Daren A. Watts, MD
St. Mark's Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates
1140 East 3900 South , Suite 400
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Stmarkshospital.com
St. Mark's Obstetrics & Gynecology Associates
1140 East 3900 South , Suite 400
Salt Lake City, UT 84124
Stmarkshospital.com
Sources:
The Mayo Clinic
WebMD
Endofound.org
The Mayo Clinic
WebMD
Endofound.org