En-do-me-tri-o-sis
What is endometriosis? You’ll find a couple of different definitions among scientists and physicians. The best definition of endometriosis (or endo) is that endometriosis is a systemic, inflammatory disease where the presence of endometrial-like tissue is found outside of the uterus.
“…there are hundreds of basic and profound differences between endometriosis and the endometrium. These differences include genetic differences between the two types of tissue as well as differences in enzymatic activity, hormone receptors, hormone responsiveness, microscopic appearance, and visual appearance. Microscopically, endometriosis is composed of two types of cells: glands and stroma. The occurrence of both types of cells is the “gold standard” for diagnosis.”
-Dr. David B. Redwine, MD
Photo Courtesy of the Mayo Clinic.
Endo attaches to organs including but not limited to: the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, the bowels, intestines, and/or rectum. Endo can often cause symptoms such as chronic pain, painful intercourse, iron-deficient anemia (due to excessive bleeding), infertility, and digestive system-related problems.
The lack of true understanding of the causes and treatment of endo, emphasizes the fact that more endo-related research should be funded and carried out to determine if there are molecular and genetic factors (causes underneath the surface) that contribute to who winds up with endo. Genetic factors contributing to endometriosis are currently being researched in research studies.
Yet, diagnosis of endo is only definitive by a surgical procedure called laparoscopy. This involves making small holes in the lower abdomen and pelvic area, inserting cameras, probes, etc, and getting samples of the suspicious tissue. The samples are sent to a pathologist to confirm the diagnosis of endo.
In the United States, it takes about 10 years for individuals to be properly diagnosed with endo. Endo is often misdiagnosed because of its symptoms. Physicians often use ultrasounds as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect cysts caused by endo, as well as possible endo-related lesions. Yet these tests are not advanced enough to confirm that these cysts and lesions are indeed derived from endo. It would be helpful to have markers that could be tested from blood work or other less invasive methods besides surgery. So, let’s up endo research funds, but also work on improving endo care!
There is absolutely no cure for endometrisosis; however, different methods are used to help with the management of endo symptoms. The following methods are simply bandages and do not get to the root of the issue. However, the management methods that are often usually include but are not limited to:
Oral contraceptives
Hormone therapy
Changes in diet
Acupuncture
Pelvic floor physical therapy
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) [shoutout to Aleve]
Treatment of endo includes: minimally invasive laparoscopy surgery from an expert excision surgeon. A hysterectomy or removal of the uterus is often suggested as “the cure” for endo; however, removal of the uterus has shown to not be completely effective in getting rid of endo, let alone some of the symptoms. This is because endometriosis is a whole body disease, and not just the uterus.
“We have inadequate treatment of endometriosis so we are turning a semi acute situation into a longstanding chronic problem, which is absolutely traumatizing, and this severe trauma also contributes to physical changes with long-term health consequences.”
-Dr. Andrew Cook, MD (@vitalhealthendo on Twitter, @vitalhealthendometriosis on Instagram)
Moral of the Story:
FUND ENDO RESEARCH!
IMPROVE PATIENT CARE!
References:
“Endometriosis,”Mayo Clinic.
“What is Endometriosis? Causes, Symptoms and Treatments,” Endometriosis Foundation of America.