Endometriosis occurs in every tenth woman today. Moreover, if earlier it was diagnosed in patients after 35, now the incidence peak is in 25 years. The most unpleasant consequence of this ailment is infertility. Every third woman with this pathology is familiar with him.
Endometriosis, the diagnosis of which presents some difficulties, has 4 stages in its development. The earlier his treatment is started, the more favorable the prognosis. With this disease, tissue similar to endometrium begins to grow in places where it is not provided. Like the uterine mucosa, it has receptors for progesterone and estrogen, therefore it undergoes cyclic changes and is rejected during menstruation.
This leads to the fact that hemorrhages occur in the affected tissues, swelling, inflammation, adhesions appear. These phenomena are accompanied by pain. It can appear during menstruation or be constant, intensifying during this period. However, in the initial stages of the disease, pain may not be present. An organ with endometriotic foci increases in size, its functioning is disrupted.
Specialists still do not know the causes of endometriosis. There are several theories on this subject, but the triggers for this disease have been established:
- immune and hormonal disorders;
- stress
- surgical interventions on the uterus;
- malnutrition, lack of vitamins;
- somatic diseases;
- cycle disturbances;
- genital infections and inflammations.
Therefore, the prevention of endometriosis consists in the exclusion of these factors. In addition, it is necessary to visit a gynecologist for early diagnosis and timely treatment of diseases, including STDs. It is important to increase immunity, eat right, exercise, walk in the fresh air. Abortion must be excluded.
Endometriosis, the diagnosis of which is based on patient complaints, examination, ultrasound, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography, colposcopy, is often confused with other diseases. So, for example, with this pathology, inflammation is treated for a long time and without success.
So, the symptoms of endometriosis :
- painful, profuse and prolonged menstruation;
- infertility;
- pelvic pain depending on the phase of the cycle;
- bleeding
- pain during sex ;
- cycle disturbances.
It is with such complaints that patients usually come to the gynecologist. Although there may be no symptoms. Often the only symptom is infertility, which causes a woman to be examined.
By the nature of the pain, an experienced doctor can suggest the localization of the process. After all, endometrioid heterotopies can be in the myometrium, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, vagina, peritoneum, bladder, intestines, surgical sutures and very rarely in the lungs and brain.
A two-handed examination helps to detect enlarged and painful organs before menstruation, and a decrease in their size after. Colposcopy is used to diagnose endometriosis of the vagina and cervix. In this case, the doctor examines the neck under a microscope, treating with various solutions.
Diagnose adenomyosis (endometriosis of the muscle layer of the uterus) helps ultrasound, hysteroscopy and hysterosallipography. The last procedure is used to check the flow of pipes. A special substance is introduced into the uterus and x-rays are taken. Hysteroscopy - examination of the uterus from the inside using an optical device.
External endometriosis, the diagnosis of which is carried out using laparoscopy, is a lesion of the tubes and ovaries. This manipulation can, when detecting pathologies, go into surgical intervention. The doctor dissects the commissures and removes the maximum number of affected areas.
Women with this diagnosis are interested in how to treat endometriosis effectively. It all depends on the severity, localization of the process and the desire to have a child. Conservative therapy is carried out using hormonal drugs that are selected individually. Quite often, surgical and medical treatment is combined. In the most severe cases, the uterus and appendages are removed.
Thus, endometriosis, the diagnosis of which presents some difficulties, can lead to such serious consequences as infertility and severe pain. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out its treatment in a timely manner. For diagnosis, examination, ultrasound, laparoscopy, hysteroscopy and hysterosalpingography are used. The treatment is carried out promptly and conservatively. For the prevention of endometriosis, it is necessary to exclude stress, interventions on the uterus, timely treat immune and hormonal disorders, as well as other diseases.