Endometriosis is a condition that affects nearly 11% of American women between the ages of 15 and 44. It is a painful disorder in which the endometrial-type tissues grow outside the uterus. Endometriosis involves various reproductive organs in the abdomen, such as the lining of the pelvic cavity, fallopian tubes, ovaries, the outside surface of the uterus, and the space between the bladder and uterus.
Endometriosis can also be found in areas lying beyond the pelvic region, such as the bladder, intestines, cervix, stomach, vagina, or rectum. A woman’s body sheds the uterus lining and grows a new endometrium during each menstrual cycle. However, the endometrial tissues in these areas do not shed during the menstrual cycle. This buildup of fibrous tissues can stick together between reproductive organs and lead to painful cysts formation, scarring, and inflammation.
How Does Endometriosis Affect a Woman’s Body?
Endometriosis can impact the most significant parts of a woman’s life and body. It produces severe and lasting pain during periods, bowel movements, sexual intercourse, and urination. Endometriosis also results in chronic pelvic pain, nausea, fatigue, bloating, depression, and anxiety. Endometriosis is also typically associated with infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant. This condition can cause painful menstrual cramps where the pain radiate towards the abdomen and lower back and also cause spotting between menstrual periods.
What Causes Endometriosis?
Doctors still don’t know the exact causes of endometriosis. However, there are some likely causes that may lead to the development of this chronic disease.
Genetics
Some families are highly affected by endometriosis. Others are not. This means that genetics might have a role in the development of endometriosis in an individual.
Retrograde Menstrual Flow
Retrograde menstruation, which means that the period blood flows backward into the abdomen, is another likely cause of endometriosis.
What Is Endometriosis Treatment?
Doctors recommend treatment for endometriosis that can help patients manage this condition. Hormone therapy and pain management are usually the first and most common treatment procedures. Hormonal therapy can help your body stop producing certain hormones, which reduces the pain associated with endometriosis.
However, hormone therapy can affect the ability to get pregnant, which is an undesirable side effect for women who are already dealing with infertility due to endometriosis.
Hormone therapy is given to patients in the form of oral contraceptives, GnRH agonists, GnRH antagonists, or progestin. Certain medications like NSAIDs can help patients manage and reduce their endometriosis pain.
Laparoscopy is the most common surgical treatment used to treat advanced endometriosis.
Conclusion
Many women get relief from the pain and symptoms of endometriosis using the right medication. However, treating endometriosis can cost you a lot, and surgical treatments are even more expensive. But that doesn’t mean that you should neglect your health and let this disease convert into a life-threatening condition.
The Rx Helper can help you get the required medications through the prescription assistance programs, so contact us now at 1-888-233-4303 for a free consultation.
