People assigned female at birth (AFAB) have a uterus, an important reproductive organ that undergoes implantation of a fertilized egg. During pregnancy, the uterus plays a vital role in ensuring fetal growth and development until birth. This organ is also important in menstruation. Unfortunately, patients with Jackson Heights endometriosis experience reproductive health complications that might affect their fertility. Understanding the definition, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of this uterine disease can help you need to restore your well-being.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a menstrual disease that involves the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus. Three layers make up the uterus:
- Perimetrium: This is the outer layer of the uterus.
- Myometrium: This is the middle layer of the uterus and is usually muscular.
- Endometrium: This is the inner layer of the uterus. This layer, also known as the uterine lining, sheds during the menstrual cycle.
The migration and implantation of endometrial tissue outside the uterus cause pelvic pain. During menstruation, women experience hormonal fluctuations. This menstrual period tissue clings to the outer layer of the uterus and grows over time upon feeding on fluctuated estrogen. Fortunately, specific immune clearance systems can inactivate endometrial implants eliminating the risk of severities. However, long-term monitoring may be necessary to detect any future complications.
How does endometriosis impact a woman’s life?
The growth of endometrial implants causes inflammation of reproductive organs and can lead to internal bleeding, scarring, urinary dysfunction, and adhesions. It is important to seek emergency clinical intervention for endometriosis symptoms before they get severe, causing psychological distress or infertility.
Endometriosis is a serious healthcare concern that can jeopardize all aspects of a woman’s life. For example:
- Most women cannot enjoy their hobbies, attend classes or engage in athletics, especially during their menstrual cycle.
- Endometriosis may force a woman to change a career
- Proper diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis may be costly, thus affecting a woman’s finances.
- Most romantic partners do not understand endometriosis causing women to face relationship struggles.
- Many women with endometriosis have a low self-esteem
What are the management protocols for endometriosis?
Researchers do not have a known cause of endometriosis. Therefore, the disease lacks a cure. Fortunately, there are management protocols that can eliminate the adversities of endometriosis, allowing women to preserve their fertility. Available treatment options vary depending on the severity of a woman’s condition and the cause of symptoms.
Most healthcare facilities recommend minimally invasive laparoscopic excision surgery to eliminate deep endometriosis. Although deep excision effectively removes endometrial implants, it is essential to get a clinician with comprehensive training and experience performing the procedure to ensure the removal of lesions.
Clinicians recommend management protocols, including low-dose oral contraceptives, hormonal intrauterine devices (rather than copper), painkillers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and hormone (GnRH) therapy to alleviate some of the symptoms of the condition. However, these symptom-relieving options cause varying results, and thus it is necessary to discuss with your clinician about your concerns to receive an appropriate management plan. Contact Raveco Medical to discuss your situation with a specialist about your symptoms and schedule a diagnosis appointment to confirm the presence of endometrial tissue and identify an appropriate management plan.
Tiffany is a Medical Student and also works as a fitness coach in part-time. She is also a writer and writes on health and fitness articles. Tiffany loves to engage with users and help them provide various useful information on General Health. She provides researched-based information and also featured on various blogs and magazines.