What do you need to know about endometriosis?
80% of the population have never heard of endometriosis, nor have any idea what it is, but one in ten women suffer from this painful gynaecological condition.
Symptoms
Endometriosis can be an exceptionally painful condition and has a profoundly debilitating effect on a woman’s life. Because the symptoms are worse when a woman is menstruating, it has always been diagnosed as ‘that time of the month’. Endometriosis is a condition when the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, grows in other places, such as the fallopian tubes, the ovaries and the pelvis. Unlike the lining of the uterus, which is removed during menstruation, this lining has nowhere to go. The pain is worse during a period and has been described as labour pain, from your stomach to your knees. Other symptoms are discomfort during intercourse and pain when moving your bowels. Endometriosis is also linked to infertility; this is because of the adhesions, which look like cobwebs, wrap around the egg, either inside or outside the ovary, but it is a fallacy that women with this condition can never get pregnant.
Diagnosis
Women go on for years with this condition because it is difficult to diagnose; a laparoscopy or ultrasound scan are the best tests and although there is no cure for this condition (it will go away after the menopause), there are many treatments available. The combined pill is an effective treatment, as is the Mirena coil. If cysts are present, laparoscopic surgery can be done to remove them or, if all else fails, a hysterectomy is the final option.
STD
Chlamydia infection is found worldwide and is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases and if left untreated it can spread to the fallopian tubes causing severe damage. This can result in chlamydia endometriosis. For those who are sexually active with more than one partner, home STI kits in London Bexley sexual health site are available to test yourself against any STD you may have picked up.
Improve
Surgical removal of endometriosis is the most favoured treatment to give pain relief, a better quality of life, improved sexual activity and mental health. Health care providers will consider your age, how severe the disease is, how severe your symptoms are, and whether you want children before determining what is the best treatment for you.