Delayed pregnancy and increasingly earlier puberty explain why so many women suffer from this condition today
Summary
Endometriosis is the disease of modern women, it is estimated that 1 in 10 women in Brazil suffer from endometriosis. Early diagnosis is one of the keys to treatment, since pregnancy does not cure the disease. IVF can help women who want to get pregnant.
10 years after the first symptoms of colic, actress Isabella Santoni was diagnosed that the pain that had lasted for so long was not normal: it was endometriosis.
“I always heard that it was normal to have colic and take painkillers. There were days when I took three pills to cope: in the morning, in the afternoon and in the evening,” the actress said.
And she is not alone: it is estimated that one in 10 Brazilian women currently suffers from endometriosis, according to data from the Ministry of Health. In the world, according to the World Health Organization, 180 million women face the problem. It is no wonder that endometriosis is considered the disease of modern women.
“The leading cause of infertility in women, endometriosis occurs when cells in the endometrium, the mucosa that lines the wall of the uterus, are not adequately expelled during menstruation, spreading throughout the reproductive system and even other regions such as the intestine, appendix and bladder,” says Rodrigo Rosa, specialist in human reproduction and clinical director of the Clínica Mater Prime, in São Paulo.
Why do so many women suffer from it?
But, after all, what is the reason why so many women suffer from this condition today? One of the hypotheses is linked to social changes related to pregnancy, which has a protective factor against endometriosis.
“In the past, women got married and, as a result, started their reproductive life very early. Furthermore, it was common for couples to have a much larger number of children over their lifetime. In this way, women remained without menstruation longer and were less exposed to estrogen, a hormone linked to the development of endometrial cells. Today, however, women menstruate earlier and get pregnant later, which increases the risk of endometriosis”, underlines the doctor.
Another possible reason why endometriosis is becoming more common is related to the increased exposure to pollutants and chemicals nowadays.
“Prolonged and excessive exposure to pollutants and chemicals has been associated with endometriosis, as it can lead to endocrine dysregulation, altering the body’s hormonal production and thus contributing to the onset of the disease,” warns Rodrigo, who explains that These chemicals can be found in the air, water, soil and even foods such as fish and birds.
The number could be even higher
And the expert also points out that the number of women suffering from endometriosis currently may be higher than reported, as the symptoms of the disease are still overlooked today, leading to a scenario of underdiagnosis.
“The main symptom of endometriosis is intense pelvic pain, which generally receives no attention because it is confused with menstrual cramps. This means that the diagnosis of the disease is made very late, when women have difficulty getting pregnant,” says Rodrigo Rosa.
“In addition, the birth control pill, a contraceptive method commonly used in the treatment of endometriosis, can also mask the symptoms of the condition, which contributes to late diagnosis and progression of the disease into a serious condition without the woman realizing it “, has explained. says the doctor, who highlights the importance of creating public policies to increase awareness about endometriosis and regular gynecological monitoring.
Early diagnosis
Early diagnosis of the disease contributes significantly to treatment, which is indicated based on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient and generally includes, in addition to the contraceptive pill, analgesics, anti-inflammatories and surgery.
“The surgical treatment of endometriosis is carried out through laparoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure that aims to eliminate the cysts caused by the disease,” explains Rodrigo, who also underlines that, contrary to what many people think, pregnancy, although it helps to prevent the disease , is unable to cure endometriosis.
“What happens is that the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy can help reduce symptoms and control endometriosis. But pregnancy does not cure the disease,” explains the specialist.
The treatment is not definitive
It is worth remembering that endometriosis is a chronic disease, so treatment is not definitive, it only works to relieve symptoms and control the disease. Therefore, symptoms and difficulties getting pregnant may return after some time. “Furthermore, only 50% of patients treated laparoscopically have the possibility of becoming pregnant in the future,” she warns.
For these reasons, the best alternative for women who want to get pregnant but suffer from endometriosis is to resort to human reproductive treatments, such as in vitro fertilization.
“The IVF process in endometriosis patients is like any other, with eggs being collected after pharmacological induction of ovulation so they can be fertilized in the laboratory and then reimplanted into the uterus. And the good news is that the success rates of the procedure in women affected by this pathology are the same as when fertilization is carried out for other reasons, making it an excellent method to increase the patient’s chances of becoming a biological mother”, explains Rodrigo Rosa . .
“However, before opting for any procedure, it is essential to consult a doctor specialized in human reproduction, who will be able to indicate the best treatment for each case based on factors such as age, health history and the quality of the eggs” , he has declared. she concludes.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
