What is Endometriosis?
This is one of the leading causes of female infertility. Studies have shown that 25-30% infertile women are suffering from this disorder. Endometriosis is a disorder in which endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, grows outside the uterus. In this disorder, the endometrium can grow over ovaries, fallopian tubes, on the intestine or the peritoneum.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
About 30-50% of women with endometriosis have fertility issues. The major symptom of endometriosis is pain.
- Pain during menstruation
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Infertility
- Lower abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Pain in pelvis, rectum or vagina
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- Urinary complaints during periods
The pains can be cyclic, i.e., worsen during and before periods and improve later. It is also possible that some patients with endometriosis do not present with any symptoms at all.
What are the Causes of endometriosis?:
The causes of endometriosis can be listed as:
- Retrograde menstruation
- Genetic causes
- Immunological factors
The exact risk factors of endometriosis have not yet been zeroed in on. However, some of the factors which increase the risk are:
- Low BMI
- Alcohol consumption
- Smoking
The treatment depends upon the age of the patient, severity of the symptoms and the desire for fertility. Hormonal treatment is handy in managing pain of young, unmarried patients. But in case of women who desire fertility, laparoscopic surgery followed by assisted reproductive techniques may come in handy. For achieving pregnancy, IVF/ICSI is helpful. In milder cases, laparoscopic clearance followed by IUI helps in achieving pregnancy.
While the treatment options do assist in fulfilling the dream of conception, there are a few things that one must keep in mind when undergoing the treatment. Like regular exercise, avoiding alcohol, drinking plenty of water, healthy diet and maintaining a normal sleep routine.
