Endometriosis is a painful condition that impacts the lining of your uterus, and it can also spread to your abdomen and pelvic area. It can also lead to painful and heavy periods, as well as problems related to pregnancy.

What you need to know:

What is endometriosis?
How common is endometriosis?
Risk factors of endometriosis
Endometriosis symptoms
What is the treatment for endometriosis?

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where the tissues similar to the uterus lining grow outside the uterus. The endometrium is the inner lining of your uterus, which is shed during a menstrual period. These layers also help support the early days of development when you get pregnant. When you have endometriosis, endometrial tissues grow on other organs, including your pelvis and even your chest. These tissues are hormonally sensitive and can develop into ovarian cysts, superficial lesions, deeper nodules and scar tissues within your body. You can develop endometriosis in the following places:

Fallopian tubes
Ovaries
Vagina
Peritoneum
Bladder and ureters
Intestines
Rectum
Diaphragm
Uterus

How common is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common medical condition that can interfere with your daily life. While the symptoms of endometriosis are severe, they can be managed with a proper treatment plan.

Risk factors of endometriosis

Here are some common risk factors of endometriosis:

Having periods at an early age
Shorter and irregular menstrual cycles
Heavy menstrual periods that last longer than seven days
Age
Higher levels of estrogen in your body
Low BMI
Immune system disorders
A family history of endometriosis
Defects in the uterus or the fallopian tubes

Endometriosis symptoms

Here are some common endometriosis symptoms that you might experience:

Dysmenorrhea: Individuals may suffer from severe pelvic pain and cramps that start before menstruation begins and continue for several days into the cycle, often accompanied by discomfort in the lower back and abdomen.
Pain during intercourse: A common symptom of endometriosis is pain experienced during or after intercourse.
Excessive menstrual bleeding: Individuals with endometriosis may experience unusually heavy menstrual bleeding between cycles.
Fertility: Endometriosis can be identified during fertility evaluations as a significant obstacle to getting pregnant.
Other symptoms: Additional symptoms may occur, particularly around the time of menstrual periods, such as depression, anxiety, tiredness and gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and nausea.

What is the treatment for endometriosis?

Here are some common treatment plan options for endometriosis, which typically includes medicines and hormone therapies:

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) medications: This medicine stops the hormones that cause your menstrual cycle. It puts your reproductive system on hold and eases the pain. It can be taken orally, by a shot or through a nasal spray.
Pain management: Pain medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or naproxen may be prescribed to help ease painful menstrual cramps.
Hormonal Therapy: Hormonal contraceptives: Birth Control pills help to control hormones that stimulate endometriosis.

Here are some surgical options that you can avail:

Laparoscopy
Hysterectomy

It is crucial for individuals with endometriosis to seek medical advice and support from healthcare professionals to overcome this condition. However, if you feel like your endometriosis symptoms are getting intense, visit a medical expert immediately.

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