This mysterious disease is explained.
Endometriosis is a chronic disease of the female reproductive system in which tissue similar to the endometrium (=the tissue that lines the inside of the womb) is found growing outside the uterus, often located around the reproductive organs, lower abdomen, depending upon each woman.
These endometriotic implants then grow and develop in areas outside the uterus, where it's not its right environment anymore causing pain and inflammation.
Each month, this misplaced tissue responds to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle by building up and breaking down just as the endometrium does, resulting in small bleeding inside of the pelvis. This leads to inflammation, swelling and scarring of the normal tissue surrounding the endometriosis implants.
1 in 10 women are affected by this chronic disease.
Symptoms:
Pelvic pain, during menstruation, or ovulation or in between. It is a pain that is not going away with painkillers.
Pain with bowel movements or urination, especially during menstruation.
Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods (intermenstrual bleeding).
Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
Other signs and symptoms. You may experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods, digestive problems…
It can cause infertility problems, but I would rather not even mention it, as it might create more fear than real problem. In fact, the majority of women who has endometriosis can have children :) So much testimony can confirm it!
What are the causes?
The causes are kind of still today a bit mysterious, there are several theories but not a 100% cause has been proven to be the one.
The most common theory are:
The retrograde menstruation: theory suggests that during menstruation, some of the tissue backs up through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen, a sort of "reverse menstruation," where it attaches and grows. But it has been shown that all women have retrograde menstruation but still they will not all develop endometriosis. Why for some women will the tissue attach and grow?
Another theory suggests that endometrial tissue may travel and implant via blood or lymphatic channels, similar to the way cancer cells spread.
A third theory suggests that cells in any location may transform into endometrial cells.
Immune system problems. A faulty immune system may fail to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Immune system disorders are more common in women with endometriosis.
Hormones. The hormone estrogen appears to promote endometriosis. Research is looking at whether endometriosis is a problem with the body's hormone system.
And genetics as well can be a cause.
How to diagnose it?
Laparoscopy is a type of surgery that doctors can use to look inside your pelvic area to see endometriosis tissue. Surgery is the only way to be sure you have endometriosis. Sometimes doctors can diagnose endometriosis just by seeing the growths. Other times, they need to take a small sample of tissue and study it under a microscope to confirm this.
Ultrasound: A diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs
Do you have endometriosis?
The doctor in that case, can prescribe you a pill that will remove your period so as to avoid the development of endometriosis.
Whether you are taking those pills, or you have chosen not to, there is hope to relieve this chronic disease.
They exist holistic remedies to relieve endometriosis.
Holistic medicine like Ayurveda, can help you to live better with this disease, and will work on all the systems of your body, improving your digestive system, as your hormonal system, your nervous system.
Endometriosis is not only a gynecologist disease, and through daily habits, alimentation, exercises it is possible to completely reduce your heavy symptoms.
If you want to join one of my modules about how to relieve your endometriosis with Ayurveda, or you want to book a free call with me and see how I can help you with Ayurveda and yoga, you can send me an email.
Sources
Image source:
https://news.northwestern.edu/stories/2018/november/first-step-toward-treating-endometriosis/