Endometriosis is a disease that is characterized by proliferation of tissue functionally identical to endometrium. Foci of endometriosis are small formations of different sizes and shapes, which are filled with mucus, blood and atrial epithelium. As a rule, women aged 20 to 40 years are affected. In 70% of cases of the disease, internal endometriosis occurs.
Symptoms
- Pain in the pelvic area, which, as a rule, intensifies before and during menstruation.
- The menstrual cycle shortens or lengthens.
- Change in menstrual flow (increase or decrease in their volume).
- Problems conceiving a baby.
- The appearance of bloody discharge in between menstruation.
All women should be aware that internal endometriosis may not occur for quite some time. In such situations, most of them learn about the presence of pathology during a routine examination by a gynecologist. In addition, a progressive and prolonged course is characteristic of this disease, and the sooner it is detected, the more likely it will be to restore reproductive function.
Very often, this disease is combined with endometriosis of other organs. And not necessarily sexual. For example (with 3 or 4 stages of the disease), intestinal endometriosis may develop.
Diagnostics
Internal endometriosis of the uterine body is detected after determining the clinical picture of the disease, as well as according to the results of additional studies (hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography), which must be performed on days 7-9 of the menstrual cycle.
To detect internal endometriosis, pelvic ultrasound is necessary . It will show the presence of the cellular structure of the uterine wall, its rounded shape and diffuse thickening of the myometrium. If a node with a heterogeneous structure and without a clear contour of the capsule is detected, then a diagnosis of "knotty endometriosis" is made.
Treatment
As a rule, in order to cure internal endometriosis, they resort to a combination of medical and surgical methods. If the disease was detected on time, then you can do without taking medication.
Treatment of endometriosis with drugs consists in taking hormones for a long time. Their effect is based on the normalization of the ovaries and the prevention of the appearance of new foci of the disease. But this method will be effective if cyst formation has not occurred. In addition, hormone replacement therapy has many contraindications.
In case of cyst formation (or when treatment with drugs did not bring the desired results), surgical intervention is prescribed. Recently, laparoscopy has been used, an operation performed through a small incision made by a laser. After it, the patient needs to restore the cycle of menstruation by taking a course of medications and taking a course of physiotherapy. If the disease is severe (provided that the woman no longer plans to have children), the removal of the uterus is performed.