Why does this cause a problem? The abnormally placed cells go through the same monthly changes as the lining of the womb, growing then eventually breaking down and bleeding when you have your period. However, there is no way for the blood which is shed to leave the body as with a period and so it causes inflammation, pain and scar tissue. Occasionally blood filled cysts are found in the ovary due to endometriosis and here are called “chocolate cysts” due to the colour of the old blood within the cyst.
No one knows why it occurs, but the classical symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, painful sex and infertility. The period pain often starts before the period and the periods can be heavy and prolonged. It can also cause painful bowel movements and pain on passing urine. Symptoms can also be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome. However some women with endometriosis will have no symptoms what so ever.
The amount of endometriosis a woman has is not related to the amount of symptoms she will experience, the symptoms seem more related to the site of the problem.
It is a very common problem and thought that about 2 million women are affected in the UK.
The only way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy (a procedure when a small telescope is passed into the abdomen and the pelvic organs are looked at directly). Because of the varied ways it presents diagnosis can be difficult and often delayed.
So once you have a diagnosis, how can it be treated? This very much depends on the individual circumstances of the woman, how severe is the disease, how bad are the symptoms, does she want to get pregnant, how old is she? Your doctor will be able to discuss various treatments with you once a diagnosis is made.
Usually the first line is hormonal therapy, aimed at stopping ovulation and giving the abnormal deposits chance to die away. This is achieved by kidding the body that you are pregnant or menopausal, but is reversible once the drugs are stopped.
Surgery is sometimes used to remove the abnormal deposits, usually via a laparoscopy, but the deposits will often return after time. In very severe cases and only after much consideration, a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries is recommended, but this is a decision not to be taken lightly.
Complementary therapies are often used by women but there is no evidence to support their efficacy.
If you have any concerns you can discuss this with your GP
What is endometriosis? This is a condition when cells like the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the body, usually in the pelvis, around the womb, ovaries and tubes, and between the womb and bowel. It can also occur in the bowel and bladder and extremely rarely in other parts of the body far removed from the womb.
Why does this cause a problem? The abnormally placed cells go through the same monthly changes as the lining of the womb, growing then eventually breaking down and bleeding when you have your period. However, there is no way for the blood which is shed to leave the body as with a period and so it causes inflammation, pain and scar tissue. Occasionally blood filled cysts are found in the ovary due to endometriosis and here are called “chocolate cysts” due to the colour of the old blood within the cyst.
No one knows why it occurs, but the classical symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, painful sex and infertility. The period pain often starts before the period and the periods can be heavy and prolonged. It can also cause painful bowel movements and pain on passing urine. Symptoms can also be similar to those of irritable bowel syndrome. However some women with endometriosis will have no symptoms what so ever.
The amount of endometriosis a woman has is not related to the amount of symptoms she will experience, the symptoms seem more related to the site of the problem.
It is a very common problem and thought that about 2 million women are affected in the UK.
The only way to diagnose endometriosis is by a laparoscopy (a procedure when a small telescope is passed into the abdomen and the pelvic organs are looked at directly). Because of the varied ways it presents diagnosis can be difficult and often delayed.
So once you have a diagnosis, how can it be treated? This very much depends on the individual circumstances of the woman, how severe is the disease, how bad are the symptoms, does she want to get pregnant, how old is she? Your doctor will be able to discuss various treatments with you once a diagnosis is made.
Usually the first line is hormonal therapy, aimed at stopping ovulation and giving the abnormal deposits chance to die away. This is achieved by kidding the body that you are pregnant or menopausal, but is reversible once the drugs are stopped.
Surgery is sometimes used to remove the abnormal deposits, usually via a laparoscopy, but the deposits will often return after time. In very severe cases and only after much consideration, a hysterectomy with removal of both ovaries is recommended, but this is a decision not to be taken lightly.
Complementary therapies are often used by women but there is no evidence to support their efficacy.
If you have any concerns you can discuss this with your GP.
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