The term endometrium refers to the tissue lining your uterus. The abnormal growth of cells and tissues may occur outside your uterus region. This is similar in appearance to your endometrial cells. This condition leads to certain health complications leading to the occurrence of endometriosis. The diagnosis of endometriosis becomes inevitable at this stage.

Causes of Endometriosis

Endometriosis may occur from several factors:

Transport of Lymph or Blood

Blood or lymphatic systems transport endometrial tissues to different parts of the body. This leads to the occurrence of endometriosis.

Direct transplantation

After you undertake a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells attach to the walls of your internal body or abdomen.

Genetics

You may inherit endometriosis from someone in your family with the same disease. Genetic link largely stimulates the formation of endometriosis.

Reverse Menstruation

During the occurrence of menstruation in women, endometrial tissues tend to enter the abdomen or fallopian tubes instead of going out of the body.

Transformation

Other body cells may transform into endometrial cells and accumulate external to the endometrium.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

You will experience endometriosis generally on or around your reproductive organs. The growth of endometrial tissue is more common on fallopian tubes, uterosacral ligaments, ovaries, pelvic cavity, cervix, bladder, vagina or rectum.

Some common signs or symptoms indicating endometriosis are:

• Menstrual cramps with excessive pain
• A painful sexual intercourse
• Feeling of low energy or fatigue
• Constipation or diarrhoea
• Painful urination and bowel movements
• Heavy or irregular flow of periods
• Bleeding or spotting in between menstrual periods

The symptoms of endometriosis basically vary from person to person. While one may experience severe symptoms, other may face mild symptoms or no symptom at all.

Stages of Endometriosis

The diagnosis of endometriosis shows four different stages of the disease. The stages depend on size, depth, amount and location of the growth of the endometrial tissue.

• The 1st stageexperiences minimal symptoms, with a few superficial growths of endometrial tissues.
• The 2nd stageis gets a mildly intense. It witnesses comparatively deeper tissue growths with filmy adhesions.   
• The 3rd stageproduces moderate symptoms with comparatively deep growths. You can observe dense adhesions and small ovarian cysts in your body.
• You will encounter the most severe symptoms in the 4th stage. Deep infiltrating growths of endometrial tissues are noticeable at this stage of endometriosis.  This also causes dense adhesions, large ovarian cysts and gluing of multiple organs.  

Types of Endometriosis

The classification of endometriosis defines the severity of your complications. This decides the need for your treatment.

Peritoneal Endometriosis

Peritoneum is the membrane lining your abdomen. The growth of endometrial tissue on your peritoneum causes this condition. This disease produces mild symptoms in the body.

Ovarian Endometriomas

The other name for this condition is chocolate cyst. This category of endometriosis includes spread of endometrial tissue to the ovaries. This leads to the formation of certain cysts. These cysts are responsible for generating pain in the body and fostering negative impacts on the fertility as well.  

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis I

The first category of deep endometriosis occurs when the disease has already spread to different tissues and organs in your pelvic cavity. The major effects of endometriosis are evident on the ovaries, uterus, fallopian tubes, bowel and bladder. You will experience dysfunction of organs at this point. You can get a frozen pelvis with severe pain.

Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis II

This is the most severe form of endometriosis with the densest adhesions. Patients going through this type of endometriosis experience the highest risks of fertility. Surgery becomes their last option. The endometrial adhesions can spread to your lungs, heart, diaphragm, bowel or appendix. These adhesions can extend up to the brain in some cases.  

Risks of Endometriosis

Certain factors again play a crucial role in generating risks of endometriosis. Some commons risks include:

• Having a mother, sister or daughter who has formerly witnessed endometriosis.
• Diagnosis of an abnormal uterus.
• Menstrual periods are comparatively shorter, does not last even up to 27 days on an average.
• Getting menstrual periods at an early age, like at 11 years only.
• Heavy flow of menstrual periods, lasting over 7 days.

You can be less prone to endometriosis if you have your first menstrual periods after the age of 14 years. The consumption of citrus fruits also safeguards you from easily developing endometriosis. Physiological transformations like pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce your risks against endometrial tissue growth.

Diagnosis of Endometriosis

The doctor will basically go through your medical history and take your physical examination before performing a diagnosis test for endometriosis. Doctors mainly use two main methods for diagnosing endometriosis:

Laparoscopy

This surgery involves a small cut into your abdomen. This helps in inserting a tube with a camera and a light into your uterus. This is helpful for visualising the tissues in the uterus region, and also detecting the growth of any endometrial tissue over there.

Biopsy

The doctor checks the presence of any suspicious or abnormal tissue growth in your body. They collect swabs of these cells to examine them in the laboratory. This technique is more common for a definitive diagnosis of endometriosis.

Besides surgery, doctors may use imaging techniques to detect the indicators of endometriosis. Some of these techniques include:

Ultrasound

This therapy mainly includes the use of sound waves for studying internal organs in detail. Doctors usually use a small wand-like thing to insert into your vagina. This gives an in-depth view of your pelvic area, reproductive organs and the uterus. The name of this therapy is transvaginal ultrasound.

MRI

MRI is the technique of non-invasive scan to get a clear view of different tissues and organs in your body. MRIs use magnetic waves for scanning.

Summary

Endometriosis may exert mild symptoms in your body at the initial stage. However, if you do not seek proper treatments, you may face serious complications. At MD.co.uk, we offer comprehensive care, including major treatments like laparotomy and hysterectomy, to address endometriosis. Effective endometriosis treatment at MD.co.uk helps you to permanently overcome the problem.