At the first stages of the development of the disease, endometriosis is asymptomatic and the woman does not know that the endometrium is actively growing and will bring her a lot of trouble in the future, and ultimately infertility. The subsequent development of the disease at later stages begins to manifest itself in the form of characteristic discharge in case of endometriosis from the vagina, which women should definitely pay attention to and talk about a noticed problem at an appointment with their treating gynecologist.
What is endometriosis?
The disease of the female reproductive system - endometriosis - is insidious and very dangerous. It is more common in women of childbearing age. The lack of timely treatment threatens the woman with infertility, anemia from significant blood loss and even cancer. Unfortunately, modern medicine does not yet know the exact causes of endometriosis, as well as methods for its complete cure. There is only an assumption that a violation in the hormonal background of a woman is a provoking factor.
The clinical picture of endometriosis consists in the pathological growth of the inner layer of the uterine cavity - the endometrium, beyond, for example, into the ovaries, the cervix, or even the bladder and intestines. The most dynamic process of proliferation of the endometrium falls on the period of completion of menstruation in the last days of the cycle. At the end of the menstrual cycle in a healthy woman, the level of sex hormones decreases, after which a thin layer of the endometrium is rejected and menstruation occurs. With a deviation from the norm in endometriosis, spotting accompany the woman when rejection of the overgrown layer of the endometrium occurs. This occurs regardless of the day of the menstrual cycle.
Signs of Endometriosis
It is important to know the signs of endometriosis, and what discharge should alert the woman. If the nature of the flowing menstruation has changed, insignificant or significant differences from the usual way of life - the cycle has shortened or blood loss has increased, then most likely a pathological process develops in the pelvis. Also, smearing discharge, which occurs during the absence of menstruation, which is not characteristic of a womanβs healthy state, indicates the presence of a disease - endometriosis. The color, texture and smell of secretions depend on the stage of the course of the disease.
Menstrual flow: what is important to pay attention to
The first signs indicating the presence of diseases in a woman are changes in the nature of menstruation.
What women and girls need to pay attention to:
- The initial sign of the development of endometriosis - menstruation becomes more abundant, each time the volume of blood loss increases, which indicates the progression of the pathological process. Such a connection is noted: the more abundant menstruation, the more severe the form of the disease.
- However, an extremely rare, but possible sign of endometriosis - menstruation becomes scarce, the cycle loses its regularity, because the disease has already managed to affect the ovaries, and this led to the absence of ovulation and a decrease in the volume of menstruation.
- Pain at the time of PMS and menstruation, in the lower abdomen and lower back, if the disease managed to hurt the intestines and other organs.
- Menstrual blood acquires a dark red color, closer to black.
- Significantly increases the duration of menstruation, up to 7-9 days, because the separation of the endometrium takes a long time.
- A characteristic sign of endometriosis is a change in the structure of menstrual blood. A large presence of dark dense blood clots resembling the appearance of a chicken liver.
- Another distinguishing feature that can previously suggest the presence of endometriosis is that the discharge during menstruation acquires viscosity due to the large amount of mucus.
If one or more of the symptoms described above has been noticed, it is advisable to visit your local gynecologist as soon as possible and undergo the necessary examination.
The consequences of not being treated
Despite the fact that endometriosis cannot be completely cured, eliminating the symptoms and improving the quality of life of a woman is much easier in the early stages of the development of the disease. The danger of endometriosis lies in the formation of an too thick layer of the endometrium and the occurrence of sudden bleeding, which cannot be stopped with medication. A woman will need urgent medical care - cleaning or curettage. Such procedures are provoking factors in the growth of the endometrium.
Characteristics of intermenstrual discharge
Spotting intermenstrual spotting with endometriosis is characteristic during the progression of the disease. They can begin on an arbitrary day of the menstrual cycle. The frequency and amount of their occurrence are directly dependent on the distribution of the endometrium in the cavity and outside the uterus. Discharges with endometriosis are brown, not similar to menstrual, differ in color and shade, closer to black. They are the most dense and thick, also include lumps of mucus, have a repulsive odor. Intermenstrual discharge with endometriosis can appear regardless of concomitant factors.
However, provoking moments can serve:
- urination or an act of defecation - with the spread of foci to the organs of the bladder or intestines;
- examination in the gynecological chair;
- sexual intercourse - damage to the walls of the mucosa;
- excessive physical activity.
Of particular danger is endometriosis in the event that a woman suddenly starts bleeding, in which case she urgently needs hospitalization.
Discharge depends on the severity of the disease.
Discharges with endometriosis occur in two varieties:
- Inherent to the diffuse form, the discharge has a maroon or reddish hue. In appearance, they are more reminiscent of menstrual blood, but the number of secretions is much less. This is due to the fact that the endometrium is located close to the inner surface of the uterus, due to which it goes beyond its limits extremely soon, without having time to collapse. Therefore, the contents of the selection has a red tint.
- The second type occurs against the background of the development of a focal or nodular form of the disease, when the hue of the discharge is brown in color. With this form of pathology, the endometrium is located in the deep muscle fibers of the uterus, as a result of which, from the moment of its rejection to its exit, an excessively maximum amount of time passes and the enzyme particles of blood manage to break down even inside the woman. Therefore, the discharge in uterine endometriosis takes a dark chocolate hue.
The discharge described above is found in the first or second stage of the disease. Symptoms manifest themselves a few days before the start or within a few days after the end of menstruation. When the disease progresses and passes into a severe form, similar discharge occurs in the middle of the cycle.
What other discharge are there with endometriosis?
If at the same time as endometriosis, a woman has undergone some kind of inflammatory process in the internal organs, then the composition of the discharge will begin to change, acquiring a specific unpleasant odor, a yellow-green tint, including particles of pus.
Pregnancy with endometriosis: discharge, are they dangerous?
Despite the fact that endometriosis is the most common factor in female infertility, pregnancy during the diagnosis is still possible. And it will have a beneficial effect on the course of the disease, since during the onset of pregnancy the cycle of production of sex hormones is disrupted, which had an effect on the foci of the endometrium, increasing it.
Accompany a saved pregnancy in women with endometriosis of brown discharge or with blood in the urine or feces. Some women perceive such discharge during pregnancy as a threat of miscarriage, but there is no reason for concern, this is just a manifestation of endometriosis. But do not forget that endometriosis can be a potential threat to spontaneous termination of a long-awaited pregnancy.
If pregnancy is not planned
If, during progressive endometriosis, a medical or mechanical abortion is performed, this will complicate the course of the disease. In this case, the patient may worsen. Therefore, it is so important to monitor contraception if pregnancy is not planned.