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Article by: Sean Ho Ka Wai
Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, such as the fallopian tubes and ovaries.
SYMPTOMS
#1 Severe pelvic pain
#2 Painful cramps
#3 Infertility
#4 Excessive bleeding during periods
What are the causes of Endometriosis?
There are no clear causes of endometriosis. However, there are some possible causes, which include:
#1 Retrograde menstruation
When menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back into the Fallopian tubes and pelvic cavity instead of flowing out of the body. Hence, endometrial cells are deposited outside the uterus, where the cells implant and grow.
#2 Cellular metaplasia
When cells change from one form to another. Cells outside the uterus change into endometrial cells and start to grow.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Pelvic exam - A physical exam is conducted by a healthcare professional to check for signs of disease in women. Common procedures include a manual exam, a speculum exam, and a pap smear.
MRI
Ultrasound
Laparoscopy - A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where a surgeon cuts a small cut near your navel and inserts a laparoscope (a small camera fitted with a flashlight) to locate and remove the endometrial tissues.
Treatment
At the moment, there is no cure for endometriosis. However, there are ways to manage and live with endometriosis. Some of these methods are:
Over-the-counter pain relief
Birth control pills
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone pills
These methods are usually recommended first, depending on the symptoms presented and whether the patient wants to become pregnant. If these treatments fail to manage the disease, surgery is presented as an alternative treatment to remove the endometrial cells.
Why is treating endometriosis still a challenge?
Endometriosis remains a disease that affects up to 10% of reproductive-age women and girls globally. Yet, the exact cause and cure for it still elude doctors. Symptoms of endometriosis are often overlooked by doctors and trivialised by society. There is also the stigmatisation of menstruation in most countries, hence symptoms felt by women are not often discussed with others. As a result, research into the topic is not prioritised, which leads to a lack of understanding surrounding the disease, its symptoms, and its effects.
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