Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a not well known chronic illness with different manifestations and processes. 1 of 10 woman worldwide have this illness. It takes an average of 10 years to diagnose endometriosis and 68% were initially misdiagnosed with another condition. 

Tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus grows outside your uterus. It involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Endometriosis can also spread beyond your pelvic organs. 

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Symptoms of endometriosis are: 

• painful periods

• pain with bowel movements or urination

• excessive bleeding

• infertility

• fatigue

• diarrhea

• constipation

• bloating or nausea

• painful sex

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Because there is no clear cause of endometriosis possible explanations exist: 

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1. Retrograde menstruation - menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows into the pelvic cavity instead out of the body. These displaced endometrial cells stick on the pelvis wall and start to grow and bleed over the menstrual circle.

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2. Transformation of peritoneal cells - hormones or immune factors promote transformation of peritoneal cells into endometrial cells.

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3. Embryonic cell transformation - hormones like estrogen may transform embryonic cells into endometrial cell implants during puberty 

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4. Genetic - endometriosis is a genetic hereditable illness

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How is endometriosis diagnosed? 

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The checks for physical clues of endometriosis include: 

• pelvic exam

• ultrasound

• MRI - magnetic resonance imaging 

• laproscopy

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Treatment

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There exist different approaches for a treatment: 

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• pain medication 

• hormone therapy

• conservative surgery

• fertility treatment

• hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries and endometriosis tissue

Alternative treatments

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There is a list of alternative treatments like doing a dietary change, yoga, massage, physiotherapy, herbal supplements, sport in general, treatment from a natural health professional, etc.