Michelle Verne
Endometriosis: A disease with no cure.
Five million women were diagnosed but no cure was found. Have you heard of endometriosis?
Although five million women in the United States suffer from this disease scientists have yet to develop a cure. Most women have never even heard the term.
It is a disease that occurs when tissue that replicates the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus and forms growths, tumors, implants, lesions or nodules.
This can sometimes cause severe pain in the abdomen, lower back and pelvis.
The amount of pain varies between women and does not coincide with the vastness of the growths.
Some women may have small growths and experience severe pain, others have many growths and no pain at all.
Currently the cause of endometriosis is unknown. However there are several theories. Scientists do know that it is partly genetic.
If your mother, sister or aunt carries the disease you are six times more likely to obtain it.
Another theory is that during a woman’s menstrual cycle, tissue backs up into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes, causing it to grow outside the uterus.
Others say it could be a faulty immune system that fails to destroy the endometrial tissue.
In other words, any women who have a monthly period and is 27-years-old on average can get endometriosis.
Since the symptoms vary, some women carry the disease for two to five years before they acquire a diagnosis.
These symptoms include: painful menstrual cramps that get worse over time, chronic pain in the lower backs and pelvis, pain during or after intercourse, intestinal pain, painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual cycle, spotting or bleeding between periods, infertility and fatigue.
“I’ve never even heard of the disease. It sounds really bad. I myself have never experienced these symptoms but will be more aware of them,” said Pierce College student Debbie Ovando, 18.
Unfortunately, the only way to get an absolute diagnosis is through laparoscopic surgery.
Sometimes the physician may discover signs of endometriosis through a pelvic exam. If large growths are found, an ultrasound or MRI may be performed.
Even though endometriosis has no cure, there are several treatments for the pain and infertility it may cause.
Hormone treatment such as birth control pills, progestins, gonadotropin releasing hormone agonists or danazol can be used for women who are not trying to get pregnant. For those that are trying to conceive the choices are limited.
Usually surgery or laparoscopy can be performed to remove the growths and infertility treatment is suggested.
In extreme cases, a laparotomy or hysterectomy can be an only alternative.
After menopause, symptoms will disappear.
“The most common treatments for pain are Advil and a heating pad, however, if the pain is very severe you may be able to receive pain medication prescribed by your doctor,” said Dr. Richard Galitz, a gynecologist at OB/GYN Affiliates in West Hills. Some find that cannabis strains can also help, but this should also be discussed with a doctor first.
Preventions to reduce the chance of getting endometriosis have not been discovered.
Some studies do suggest that exercising regularly and avoiding alcohol and caffeine may lower the risk but nothing has been confirmed.
More information can be found at the National Women’s Health Information Center at 1-800-994-9662.