According to studies, endometriosis affects one out of every ten women of reproductive age, with an estimated 176 million women suffering from the ailment worldwide.
The endometrium is the tissue that lines the inside of the womb (uterus) and is affected by endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when this tissue is discovered outside of the uterus.
Dr. Shweta Shah, a gynecologist in Malad, Mumbai, provides her thoughts on endometriosis’ causes, symptoms, treatment, and other pertinent facts.
Dr. Shweta Shah is a gynecologist and obstetrician who practices in Malad, Mumbai. She is a fantastic and knowledgeable doctor who specializes in women’s health. She has a lot of obstetrics and gynecological experience. She is highly dedicated to women’s health and has successfully treated countless female patients with infertility, gynecological disorders, and menopausal concerns. She’s also advised ladies on how to keep healthy and active despite their hectic schedules.
What causes endometriosis in the first place?
- Menstrual flow issues
- Genetic considerations
- Immune system issues are all probable causes.
- Hormones
- Endometriosis scarring (Surgery)
What signs and symptoms do you have if you have endometriosis?
The most prevalent symptom is pain. Endometriosis can cause a variety of symptoms in women.
- Excruciating menstrual cramps
- Lower back and pelvic discomfort that lasts a long time
- Pain during or after sex
- Abdominal pain
- During menstrual cycles, painful bowel motions or urination.
- Bleeding or spotting in between periods.
- Excessive bleeding, clots, or no clots. Bleeding might be irregular and last for a long time.
- Infertility
- Digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, particularly during the menstrual cycle.
- Endometriosis affects many women without causing any symptoms.
What is the impact of endometriosis on fertility?
It may be challenging to get pregnant if you have endometriosis. Infertility affects between 30 and 50 percent of women with endometriosis. According to Dr. Shweta Shah, an incredible gynecologist in Malad, Mumbai, endometriosis can affect fertility in several ways: adhesions leading to scarring and blockage of fallopian tubes and distortion of pelvic anatomy, inflammation of the pelvic organs, altered immune system, altered egg quality, and impaired implantation.
What is the procedure for diagnosing it?
A thorough medical history will be taken, as well as a physical examination. If your doctor suspects endometriosis, an ultrasound will almost certainly be recommended. If you have endometriotic cysts (endometriomas) on your ovaries or nodules of deep endometriosis, an ultrasound may reveal them. Endometriosis that is superficial (on the surface) is not detectable with ultrasound. Only a laparoscopy or open surgery can provide a precise diagnosis.
Endometriosis management and treatment
- Physical activity can assist in relieving pain.
- Yoga, mindfulness, and meditation are effective techniques to cope with endometriosis-related stress.
- Anti-inflammatories and pain relievers.
- The contraceptive pill, progestins, or hormonal IUD (intrauterine device) is usually the first treatment line for women who don’t want to conceive. This may assist in alleviating endometriosis pain and intensity.
- The goal of surgery is to diagnose and remove as many endometriosis patches, nodules, and cysts as possible, as well as endometriomas (chocolate cysts) and adhesions.
- It is not usual to experience severe discomfort during your period. Please seek care if you are experiencing significant, debilitating pain or are missing school, work, or other activities, advises Dr. Shweta Shah, the best gynecologist in Malad, Mumbai.
Infertility Treatment
- Before beginning fertility treatment, infertile women with suspected minimal or mild endometriosis must decide whether or not to undergo a laparoscopy. Factors such as the woman’s age, the length of her infertility, and any pain symptoms, among others, must be taken into account. Other infertility problems may coexist and have an impact on treatment success rates and outcomes. If discomfort is an issue, laparoscopy and surgical therapy appear to be the best options. When moderate or severe endometriosis is suspected and no other reason for infertility is detected, laparoscopy and maybe laparotomy (big incision) are indicated.
- Medical treatment with contraceptive pills, progestins, GnRH analogs, or danazol is beneficial for alleviating endometriosis discomfort. Still, there is no evidence that medical therapy with contraceptive pills, progestins, GnRH analogs, or danazol enhances fertility. Medical treatment before or after surgery may cause additional reproductive medicine to be postponed needlessly. Despite this, medical treatment for endometriosis is successful in reducing pelvic pain and uncomfortable intercourse.
- After endometriosis surgery, ‘expectant management or ‘watchful waiting’ may be an option for younger women (with no underlying infertility concerns). Within the first year after surgery, up to 40% of women can conceive. Fertility-enhancing therapy may be offered as an alternative to expectant management or if pregnancy does not occur within a suitable time frame. The age of a woman is a significant consideration when deciding on a treatment plan.
- Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and Controlled Ovarian Stimulation (COS) (IUI). This has been found in several studies to improve fertility in women with minor or mild endometriosis.
- In Vitro Fertilization success rates in women with endometriosis are comparable to those in couples with other reasons for infertility.
