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Women's Health: Endometriosis
WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The lining of the uterus (womb) is called the endometrium
(end-o-MEET-ree-um). Endometriosis (end-o-meet-ree-O-sis) is a
condition in which tissue from this lining grows in places
other than the uterus. The tissue sometimes can be found in the
ovaries, tubes, vagina, and abdomen. It can grow between these
organs and cause them to stick together. The extra tissue gets
red, swollen, and may cause pain. The endometrium is
shed each month during your period. When menstrual bleeding
occurs, the extra tissue also bleeds. Bits of it float around
and can find new places to grow.
You can get endometriosis only if you are having periods.
It is most common in women ages 20 to 40. There is no complete
cure. However, the disease goes away after menopause, when the
ovaries stop making a hormone called estrogen. Estrogen
stimulates growth of the endometrium. Without it, the extra
tissue cannot thrive.
Causes
We do not know why one woman will
develop this problem while another is spared. We do know that
women who have relatives with the disease have a higher risk of
getting it.
Signs/Symptoms
Belly pain related to your
menstrual cycle is the main sign. The pain comes and goes as
your estrogen level changes during your cycle. Other
possible symptoms are pain during sex, heavy bleeding during
your period and at other times, problems getting pregnant,
blood in your urine, and back pain. These signs can show up
suddenly or develop over many years.
Care
Your care is determined by your age, your symptoms, your
desire to get pregnant, and how much disease you have.
Your doctor will do a pelvic exam (an ""internal'') to check
your female organs. He or she may want to check you between
periods and again during your period to compare the changes
that may have occurred between the two exams.
You may be given medicine to reduce the amount of
estrogen your body makes. This medicine will slow down or stop
your periods, and some of the tissue growing outside your
uterus may get smaller or go away. The medicine can keep the
disease from spreading, but is not a complete cure. You may
also get other medicines to help your pain. A test
called a laparoscopy (lap-er-OS-ko-pee) may be done, in which
your doctor examines your internal organs for signs of
endometriosis. If the disease is severe, you may need a
hysterectomy (his-toe-REC-toe-me) to keep the endometriosis
from returning again and again. This is surgery to remove your
uterus. However, no care, including surgery, guarantees a
permanent cure.
WHAT YOU SHOULD
DO
-
Take your medicine as
directed. You can also use over-the-counter medicines such
as acetaminophen or ibuprofen for
pain.
-
Keep a record of your
bleeding and other signs when you begin care. This will
help your doctor when you go for another
checkup.
-
Use a heating pad set on
""low'' or a hot water bottle if you have belly or back
pain. Hot baths also will relax your muscles and help the
pain.
-
Your doctor may suggest
surgery to treat the endometriosis. Be sure all your
questions have been answered before you decide to have
surgery.
-
Endometriosis can make it
difficult to become pregnant. If you want children, you
should consider having them before the disease does too
much damage.
Call Your Doctor
If...
-
You have bad belly or back
pain which does not go away.
-
You have heavy or unusual
vaginal bleeding.
-
Your symptoms return after
treatment.
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