Signs and Treatments for Endometriosis

Women are facing several health issues, most of which are caused by hormonal imbalances. Endometriosis is no different. It is a condition that attacks the ovaries, pelvis, and fallopian tubes majorly. Endometriosis is when a certain lining of tissues, which typically grows within the uterus, starts growing outside of these organs. 

The best female gynecologist in Mumbai, Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi, who provides the best endometriosis treatment in Mumbai, explains that in this case, endometrial-like tissues function like how endometrial would, i.e., they form, thicken up, and shed. If those tissues form outside the uterus, the blood gets no place to escape and may even foster cysts called endometriomas. This is a painful health condition that needs medical attention. 

What are the Signs of Endometriosis?

• Painful periods: Pelvic pain and cramps begin before and stretch to the day of the menstrual cycle. One may have abdominal or lower back pain as well.
  
  

• Painful Intercourse: It is common to feel pain during intercourse. 

• Painful Urination and Bowel Movement: A woman may face these symptoms during menstruation. 

• Excessive bleeding: One may occasionally have heavy menstrual cycles and bleeding between menstruations (intermenstrual bleeding).

• Infertility: Endometriosis is sporadically found in women trying to seek infertility treatment.

• Other symptoms and indications: Women may have tiredness, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea during a menstrual cycle.

The pain level may not accurately predict the severity of the ailment. One might have moderate endometriosis with considerable pain or advanced endometriosis with little to no discomfort.

Endometriosis is often confused with other disorders triggering pelvic discomfort, such as ovarian cysts or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). It is sometimes mistaken for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which causes diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal cramps. Endometriosis might be accompanied by IBS, complicating the diagnosis.

What are the Causes of Endometriosis?

Although the specific etiology of endometriosis is unknown, several theories include:

• Menstruation in retrograde: Menstrual blood carrying endometrial cells travels back via the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity rather than out of the body during retrograde menstruation. During the menstrual cycle, these endometrial cells grow, thicken, and bleed as they adhere to the organ surfaces and walls of the pelvis.

• Peritoneal cell transformation: According to the "induction theory," hormones or immunological factors stimulate the change of peritoneal cells—the cells that line the inner side of the abdomen—into endometrial-like cells.

• Embryonic cell differentiation: During puberty, hormones such as estrogen can change embryonic cells — cells in their early stages of growth — into endometrial-like cell implants.

• Scar implantation surgery: Endometrial cells may cling to a surgical incision after a hysterectomy or C-section.

• Transport of endometrial cells: Endometrial cells can travel through blood vessels or the tissue fluid (lymphatic) system to various parts of the body.

• Immune system dysfunction: A defect in the immune system may inhibit the body from acknowledging and destroying endometrial-like tissue that forms outside the uterus.

What are the Best Treatments?

Depending on the severity of the symptoms and the patient's desire for conception, a female sexologist in Mumbai may recommend either medication or surgery that may be used to treat endometriosis. Before considering surgery, doctors usually prescribe conservative treatment. Some of the best treatments include: 

• Medication for pain: To assist in treating unpleasant menstrual cramps, a doctor may advise using an over-the-counter pain medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.

• Hormone Replacement Therapy: Endometrial implants thicken, break, and bleed due to the menstrual cycle's chemical imbalance. Supplemental hormones can assist in limiting endometrial tissue development, inhibit the production of new implants, and help lessen or eliminate discomfort. It is not a long-term cure for endometriosis.

• Contraception via Hormones: Birth control pills, patches, and vaginal rings help to regulate the hormones that cause endometrial tissue to develop every month. Menstrual flow may be lighter and shorter while using hormonal contraception. Continuous-cycle treatments with hormonal contraceptives may lessen or eliminate discomfort in some endometriosis patients.

• Agonists and Antagonists of Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone: By reducing estrogen levels and avoiding menstruation, these medications inhibit the generation of ovarian-stimulating hormones. Endometrial tissue growth is slowed as a result of this. Because these medications induce artificial menopause, a modest dose of estrogen or progestin combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists may reduce menopausal adverse reactions such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and bone loss. Menstrual cycles and the ability to become pregnant may resume if a patient discontinues using the medicine.

• Progestin Replacement Therapy: Several progestin treatments, such as an intrauterine device containing levonorgestrel, a contraceptive injection, a contraceptive implant, or a progestin tablet, can stop menstruation and the formation of endometrial implants, easing endometriosis symptoms.

• Aromatase Blockers: These aid in reducing estrogen levels in the body. A doctor may prescribe an aromatase inhibitor with progestin or combined hormonal contraception to treat endometriosis.

• Conservative surgery: Endometriosis patients who want to get pregnant may benefit from surgery, which removes the endometriosis implants while leaving the uterus and ovaries intact. Women who experience severe endometriosis pain may benefit from surgery; nevertheless, endometriosis and pain may recur. In more severe circumstances, a doctor may do this treatment laparoscopically or by traditional abdominal surgery. Even with severe endometriosis, most patients may be treated with laparoscopic surgery.

• Treatment for Fertility: Endometriosis can make it difficult to conceive a child. In such a circumstance, a doctor may advise fertility treatment under the supervision of a fertility specialist. Treatment for infertility ranges from encouraging the ovaries to produce more eggs to in-vitro fertilization.

• Ovaries removal with a hysterectomy: One of the most beneficial treatments for endometriosis was surgery that eliminated the  ovaries (oophorectomy) and the uterus (hysterectomy). However, endometrial experts do not favor this procedure. Ovarian detachment can result in menopause. This can lead to a lack of hormones generated by the ovaries, which may alleviate endometriosis discomfort in certain people. However, for some, the leftover endometrial-like cells continue to cause problems following surgery. 

Early menopause is also associated with an increased risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) illness, certain metabolic disorders, and premature mortality. Removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) can occasionally address symptoms and signs associated with endometriosis, such as excessive monthly flow and painful menses owing to uterine cramping, especially in people who do not wish to become pregnant. Even if the ovaries are not removed, a hysterectomy may have long-term consequences for health.

If one wants the best Female Sexologist in Mumbai, visit Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi. With her excellent skills, extreme devotion to her profession, and utter dedication to the quality of her services, she has been rated as the best sexologist for females in Mumbai. Visit Dr. Chaitali Mahajan Trivedi today at Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital.