The disease affects one in 10 women in Brazil and still receives little attention in the country. Endometriosis is nothing more than the exit of the endometrial tissue – the internal layer of the uterus that changes every month and generates menstruation – from this organ, which can implant itself in various regions, such as under the uterus, […]
The disease affects one in 10 women in Brazil and still receives little attention in the country
Endometriosis is nothing other than the exit of the endometrial tissue – the internal layer of the uterus that changes every month and generates menstruation – from this organ, which can implant itself in various regions, such as under the uterus, in the ovaries, in the intestine, bladder, among others. “The endometrium was made to stay inside the uterus. If it comes out, an inflammatory reaction occurs, which can be very small or take on very large proportions. This is what will determine the intensity of the symptoms,” explains Marcos Tcherniakovsky, director of the Brazilian Society of Endometriosis (SBE).
Worldwide, the disease affects approximately 15 percent of all menstruating women and approximately seven to eight million Brazilian women. There is no age group in which endometriosis is most likely to occur. In other words, it can appear from the first menstruation (menarche) to the last (menopause). However, the disease usually appears in adolescence, but it is only in adulthood that it is usually identified, due to the difficulty in arriving at a diagnosis. “This is most likely due to the lack of routine gynecological monitoring. In addition to the symptoms being underestimated by the patient and doctors and because in our country we have few centers specialized in endometriosis”, analyzes the specialist.
What are the symptoms?
According to the gynecologist, one of the main symptoms is very intense menstrual cramps. So, the woman who did not have colic begins to have it, or who has had colic and begins to have much stronger and often disabling colic, which makes it impossible for her to carry out her normal functions. Another symptom is pain during sexual intercourse. Because these lesions are often very close to the vaginal region and during intercourse end up causing pain, including sensations of discomfort and burning.
Infertility occurs in 30-50% of women with endometriosis, who have difficulty getting pregnant. Of course, these conditions end up being more common when the inflammatory reaction is much greater, when the fallopian tubes and ovaries are compromised. Therefore, infertility is also a very common sign. Abdominal bloating is very common. As well as pain and/or bleeding when urinating during menstruation; bowel changes, pain during bowel movements, and often bleeding during bowel movements. Furthermore, there are patients with chronic pelvic pain, who are those who complain of pain for more than 6 months.
Diagnosis
“When we talk to the patient and perform the physical exam (vaginal exam), we often identify signs that indicate a possible endometriosis condition. At this point we continue to request further tests to confirm the diagnosis. Currently we mainly use two tests: ultrasound with bowel preparation and MRI also with bowel preparation To obtain results, these tests must be performed by specialized professionals, as a high level of detail is required,” he explains.
How does the treatment take place?
The director explains that each condition is individual and that treatment mainly depends on the medical history, age and symptoms to decide on the clinical treatment. “We encourage physical and nutritional activity under the supervision of a nutritionist who specializes in this disease,” he adds.
In the case of chronic pelvic pain, the woman has an altered quality of life. “In this case, we will give preference to stopping menstruation. Normally, with the use of contraceptives or any other hormone capable of stopping the menstrual cycle, as well as anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs. This would be the first line of clinical treatment” , he adds.
In specific cases, surgical indication is necessary, preferably with minimally invasive techniques. In these scenarios, the medical team identifies all existing implants and removes lesions located in the ovaries, intestines or any other area. The main objective is to completely eliminate the inflammatory reaction present. The specialist adds that the removal of the uterus occurs in situations in which the woman no longer wishes to become pregnant or has already completed her family, always after an in-depth conversation with the patient to ensure the best decision.
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.
