The Endometriosis is a gynecological disorder that affects millions of women worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of tissue comparable to the endometrium, whose goal is to cover the interior of the womb, in other parts of the body -especially in the pelvic cavity.
This Ectopic substance responds to hormones of the menstrual cycle that cause inflammation, pain and scarring. It is a medical condition that can be exacerbated and correctly treated.
For that reason it is so important Access to relevant and medically correct information, regardless of the truths, myths and Bulos who do more bad than do good and only lead to confusion and make bad decisions.
Endometriosis: a very frequent state
The endometriosis It is a very frequent but socially invisible disease. A typical patient usually has Very painful linesAnd can, among other things, digestive problems, pain with sexual intercourse and infertility.
Unfortunately, The diagnosis is usually late, after a long medical pilgrimage Or by undergoing evidence in the difficulties in getting a natural pregnancy.
What is endometriosis?
He Endometrium is the cell layer that covers the interior of the womb. Every menstrual cycle, estrogens do it swelling to welcome an embryo. If there is no fertilization, bleeding (menstruation).
By one gravity scale, if there are few implants and there are no adhesions (“Glue” tires that change the mobility of the tissues) is considered a minimal degree (degree I). When the cysts are numerous and organs influence, we talk about severe endometriosis (grade IV). This scale does not correlate with the level of observed pain.
Symptoms
The Endometriosis is a systemic disease in which implants appear comparable to endometriumThese injuries dominate in it The pelvic and abdominal area of patients, but are described in almost every part of the body, Including lungs or brain. The most important symptoms are the pain associated with menstruation (secondary dysmenorrhea) and sexual relationships (trigger), as well as digestive changes and fertility problems, among other things. Symptomatology depends on the location of implants and adhesions.
The problem is that in the neighborhood endometriosis Many myths circulate. And not only from a social point of view, but also with health workers. Both beliefs and Taboos about the rule hinder the diagnosis and management of this disease. Although the “zero -mythe” to disassemble would be the standardization of menstrual pain, we then bear other false statements.
The diagnosis cannot be postponed
Endometriosis is a rare and modern disease. Nothing is further from reality. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), almost 200 million people (about 2.5 million in Spain) suffer, which can be classified as a pandemic. Moreover, it is pretty froading, with a delay between 7 and 10 years.
Moreover, there are medical texts that describe Symptoms that have been compatible with endometriosis since the seventeenth century. That is why it is not a new disease. Gender prejudices and menstrual pine banization have contributed to their historical invisibility.
It’s just a painful rule. It is much more than that. In severe cases, cysts can damage organs (Ovaries, intestine, bladder, etc.). If it is not treated in time, it can also cause chronic pelvic pain (continued and independent of menstruation).
It is a gynecological disease because it only influences the womb and the ovaries. Endometriosis is a systemic inflammatory pathology, that is, it influences the whole body and has immune jump. In fact, in some patients with chronic fatigue and other car -immune diseases, such as fibromyalgia.
The symptoms depend on the location of the implants. If they appear in the bladder, they can cause pain when urinating, and if they do it in the intestine, swelling and abdominal pain (known as Endo-belly), YoFood nestPoop pain, etc. We call adenomyosis after an equal pathology that causes injuries to the womb, although both forms usually exist side by side. Although Extrapelvian endometriosis is rare, is detected in lungs, nerves or brain.
It affects women of reproductive age and disappears with the menopause. Double false. On the one hand there are cases of endometriosis For premenarchical girls (who did not have their first rule) with severe pelvic pain. Even There are studies that demonstrate fetal endometriosis.
On the other, It is a chronic illness, so it can continue to exist after menopauseEspecially in patients with severe ways. Unfortunately, although estrogen production is reduced in this essential stage, the pain can continue if there are swelling, organic or nervous damage.
The Replacement hormonal therapy relieves the symptoms of women with menopause Because the estrogen trap compensates. But precisely for that reason, this treatment must be individualized and closely under supervision of patients.
If ultrasound is normal, you have no endometriosis. Transvaginal ultrasound is useful, but mild forms can go unnoticed. Nuclear magnetic resonance and diagnostic laparoscopy are fundamental tools. In any case, a well -trained eye is needed. The Active patient listens And a good medical history is vital for diagnosis.
Endometriosis myths
If you have endometriosis, you will be infertile
Between 30 % and 50 % of patients may have trouble getting pregnant, but not all. Assisted reproduction and surgery can be good options for serious cases with ovary effects or fallopian tubes. He Impact of ovarian stimulation on the pain or progression of some patients has generated new debates. At the moment, scientific evidence is insufficient and more studies are needed.
Pregnancy
The Progesterone produced by the placenta can temporarily relieve the symptoms and even reduce implantsBut does not eliminate any injuries. The disease can progress after the birth and even get worse. That is why there should be no false hope or encourage patients to look for pregnancy if they don’t want to.
However, there are other parts of their lives that can be seriously damaged as a result of pain and organ impact. The endometriosis He currently has no remedy, so A DYouEarly agnostic and multidisciplinary treatment That improves your quality of life. Finally, although in some cases it has been associated with some subtypes of ovarian cancer, it is currently not considered a premarial disease and more studies are needed in this respect. Made with biorer.
Contraceptive pills
This disease responds to hormonal treatments that can control some symptoms and delay the growth of injuries. However, implants or adhesions do not eliminate. There are other drugs of hormonal effect, such as progestogens or gonadotropin -liberating hormone, which keep the disease at bay, but also not heal.
Laparoscopy -surgery
Some patients need surgery. Although the Laparoscopy usually improves the symptoms, the recurrence rate is 20-40 % in 5 yearsEspecially if it is not supplemented with postoperative medical treatment. It is important to emphasize that incomplete or conservative surgery can actively leave injury.
Hysterectomy is the final remedy
Removing the uterus is not always the solution, Because endometriosis can influence peritoneum, organs, muscles and nerves. Pain can persist. Taking this decision must be individualized in accordance with the symptoms, age, reproductive desire and extragal affectation.
Unfortunately, there is still no remedy for this disease. The assessment of disability or work capacity of these patients should not be based on hysterectomy, who does not necessarily assume the solution of endometriosis.
If you have no symptoms, you do not need any treatment
The endometriosis It can claim quiet and it is possible that patients develop infertility or organ damage, even if they do not feel significant discomfort. Remember that the severity of the lesions does not correlate with the intensity of pain. Periodic evaluation makes it possible to detect possible complications. Pain is psychological. This is one of the most unfortunate myths, Because endometriosis is an extremely painful and severe disease.
In addition to experiencing episodes of intense pain“ Patients usually experience psychological and emotional problems due to ailmentSo often they are accused of finding them out. The sum of chronic pain, absence of diagnosis, uncertainty about what happens to them and incompression forms an explosive mixture that often generates anxiety or depression frames.
That is why a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to improve the quality of life, which combines medical treatments with physiotherapy, anti -inflammatory diet, physical exercise, psychological and sexological support, etc. In short, endometriosis is a disease that is not spoken of much if we take its high impact into account. The Lack of training leads us to adopt these and other myths as truthsWith serious consequences for the physical, mental and emotional health of patients and their environment.
Although currently There is greater recognition of this ailmentMany more investments are needed to provide relief and a real and definitive remedy for women who suffer. Ecotics.com