endometriosis, is a gynaecology metra disease which refers to endometrial-like cells appeared outside uterine cavity, the most common of which is in the ovary.
Uterine cavity is lined by endometrial cells, they are under the influence of female hormones. These cells endometrial-like cells outside the uterus are influence by hormonal changes and reaction of similar cells found inside the uterus. Symptoms usually aggravate during menses.
Endometriosis is often seen during childbearing ages. Endometriosis occurs in about 5 to 10 percent of women. Symptoms can depend largely on the active site of endometriosis. Endometriosis is a common finding in women with infertility.
Its main but not common symptom is pelvic pain in various cases. The pain can be mild or severe that occurs on both sides of the pelvis, in the lower back and near the rectum, and even on the legs. Some women will have little or no pain even they have extensive endometriosis or endometriosis with scarring. On the other hand, women may have severe pain even though having only a few small areas of
endometriosis. However, pain does typically correlate to the extent of the disease.
Symptoms of endometriosis-related pain may include:
· dysmenorrhea – painful, sometimes disabling cramps during menses; pain may get worse over time (progressive pain), also lower back pains linked to the pelvis
· chronic pelvic pain – typically accompanied by lower back pain or abdominal pain
· dyspareunia – painful sex
· dysuria – urinary urgency, frequency, and sometimes painful voiding
Throbbing, gnawing, and dragging pain to the legs are also common on women with endometriosis. Compared with women with superficial endometriosis, those with deep disease appears to be more likely to report shooting rectal pain and a sense of their insides being pulled down.
Other symptoms may be present, including:
· Constipation
· chronic fatigue
· heavy or long uncontrollable menstrual periods with small or large blood clots
· gastrointestinal problems including diarrhea, bloating and painful defecation
· extreme pain in legs and thighs
· back pain
· mild to extreme pain during intercourse
· pain from adhesions which may bind an ovary to the side of the pelvic wall, or they may extend between the bladder and the bowel,uterus, etc.
· extreme pain with or without the presence of menses
· premenstrual spotting
· mild to severe fever
· headaches
· depression
· hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
· Anxiety
In addition, women with
endometriosis may have gastrointestinal symptoms that mimic Irritable bowel syndrome. The pain may also occur in other regions. Cysts can occur in the bladder (although rare) and cause pain and even bleeding during urination.
The pain which is caused by
endometriosis can occur at other times of the month and doesn't have to be just during menses. There can be pain with ovulation, pain associated with adhesions, pain caused by inflammation in the pelvic cavity, pain during defecation, during general bodily movement i.e. exercise, pain from standing or walking, and pain on sexual intercourse. The most desperate pain is usually with menstruation. Also the pain can start a week before menses, during and even a week after menses, or it can be constant.
