Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition that involves the inner layer of the uterus called the endometrium. In endometriosis, the inner layer of the uterus is present in areas of the pelvis other than its normal location. Endometrial tissue may be present on abdominal and pelvic organs. The organs often affected include the bladder, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The endometrial tissue functions normally as it does in the uterus, even when placed on other organs, and this leads to symptoms. Endometrial tissue continues to bleed with every menstrual cycle, and this leads to inflammation and scarring of abdominal or pelvic tissues, and formation of pelvic adhesions that may cause chronic pain.
Endometriomas may also be present in the pelvic space. Endometriomas are cysts composed of endometrial tissue, most often located on the ovaries.
Prostaglandin release (a normal inflammatory response of the body) is responsible for normal period pain. Prostaglandins are also implicated in cyclical pain associated with endometriosis.
The average age at diagnosis is twenty years of age. Six to ten percent of the female population is affected, and close to 170 million women worldwide suffer symptoms as a result of endometriosis.
Diagnosis is made on radiological visualisation of endometrial tissue. This may be done through pelvic sonar or CT scans. Often diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy and endometrial scraping or ablations are done simultaneously. Conservative management includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and the progesterone only contraceptive pill. High dose progesterone combined oral contraceptives may also be helpful.
In very severe cases, postmenopausal women may need a hysterectomy.
Endometriosis is a gynaecological condition that involves the inner layer of the uterus called the endometrium. In endometriosis, the inner layer of the uterus is present in areas of the pelvis other than its normal location. Endometrial tissue may be present on abdominal and pelvic organs. The organs often affected include the bladder, ovaries and fallopian tubes. The endometrial tissue functions normally as it does in the uterus, even when placed on other organs, and this leads to symptoms. Endometrial tissue continues to bleed with every menstrual cycle, and this leads to inflammation and scarring of abdominal or pelvic tissues, and formation of pelvic adhesions that may cause chronic pain.
Endometriomas may also be present in the pelvic space. Endometriomas are cysts composed of endometrial tissue, most often located on the ovaries.
Prostaglandin release (a normal inflammatory response of the body) is responsible for normal period pain. Prostaglandins are also implicated in cyclical pain associated with endometriosis.
The average age at diagnosis is twenty years of age. Six to ten percent of the female population is affected, and close to 170 million women worldwide suffer symptoms as a result of endometriosis.
Diagnosis is made on radiological visualisation of endometrial tissue. This may be done through pelvic sonar or CT scans. Often diagnostic and therapeutic laparoscopy and endometrial scraping or ablations are done simultaneously. Conservative management includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and the progesterone only contraceptive pill. High dose progesterone combined oral contraceptives may also be helpful.
In very severe cases, postmenopausal women may need a hysterectomy.
Endometriosis causes symptoms because of localised inflammation or formation of adhesions. These include symptoms such as:
No specific cause for endometriosis has yet been identified.
The most commonly accepted pathophysiological explanation is that endometrial tissue that is normalyl shed during menstruation may flow back into the fallopian tubes (retrograde flow) and lead to implantation of the endometrial tissue on other organs in the abdomen and pelvis.
A positive family history of endometriosis (grandmother, mother or aunt affected) increases the chances of developing endometriosis by almost six times.
Other identified factors that may play a role in endometriosis include:
A low-inflammatory diet may improve symptoms associated with endometriosis. Anti-inflammatory foods include:
If you suffer from excessive or abnormal bleeding, foods high in iron may replenish iron stores:
Endometriosis causes symptoms because of localised inflammation or formation of adhesions. These include symptoms such as:
No specific cause for endometriosis has yet been identified.
The most commonly accepted pathophysiological explanation is that endometrial tissue that is normalyl shed during menstruation may flow back into the fallopian tubes (retrograde flow) and lead to implantation of the endometrial tissue on other organs in the abdomen and pelvis.
A positive family history of endometriosis (grandmother, mother or aunt affected) increases the chances of developing endometriosis by almost six times.
Other identified factors that may play a role in endometriosis include:
A low-inflammatory diet may improve symptoms associated with endometriosis. Anti-inflammatory foods include:
If you suffer from excessive or abnormal bleeding, foods high in iron may replenish iron stores: