Endometriosis: what is important to know
NewsEndometriosis is a chronic disease in which endometrial-like cells (glandular epithelium and stroma) grow outside the uterus (ectopia).
Key symptoms requiring consultation with a gynecologist:
- pelvic pain (leading symptom)
- menstrual disorders
- infertility
- astheno-neurotic syndrome
However, with widespread endometriosis, no manifestations may occur and, conversely, with single foci, noticeable unpleasant symptoms are possible.
This disease occupies the 3rd place in the structure of gynecological pathology.
- The prevalence among women of reproductive age is up to 10%, and among patients with infertility and chronic pelvic pain – 30-50%.
- The peak incidence occurs at the age of 25-40 years.
It is important to know: despite numerous studies, the exact causes of endometriosis have not been fully established, and primary prevention (which is guaranteed to prevent the disease) does not exist today.
However, it is believed that some factors may reduce the relative risk of its occurrence or delay the onset of symptoms.
The main recommendations of doctors are aimed at correcting the hormonal background and general health.
- The hormone estrogen stimulates the growth of the endometrium. At the same time, this can lead to its excessive spread beyond the uterus. At risk are women with elevated levels of this hormone.
Endometriosis is the leading cause of chronic pelvic pain, severe pain in the lower abdomen during menstruation (dysmenorrhea) and during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia), which significantly reduces physical and psycho-emotional well-being, ability to work.
The treatment strategy is always individual and depends on the patient's age, severity of symptoms, localization and stage of the process, as well as the key goal: pain relief, fertility restoration or surgical removal of foci. But most often the treatment is combined and multi-stage.
- Combined treatment is the "gold standard" in most cases: surgical removal of foci + subsequent long-term hormone therapy. This scheme allows you to reduce symptoms as much as possible, delay relapse and maintain quality of life.
If you have painful menstruation, which increases over time and disrupts your usual lifestyle, there are pains during intimacy, there are cycle irregularities or pregnancy does not occur – these are direct indications for in-depth examination by a gynecologist in order to exclude endometriosis.
- Early diagnosis allows you to start effective therapy aimed at relieving pain, suppressing the progression of the disease and preserving reproductive function.
If something is bothering you, we recommend that you do not delay and immediately contact the specialists of the pelvic Oncosurgery department of the MCSC.
It consists of expert–level surgeons in the field of abdominal surgery and pelvic surgery who perform successful operations in the most difficult cases.
You can register by calling the Unified Contact Center:
- +7 (495) 304-30-39
Be healthy!
