Introduction of disease
Endometriosis is a disorder, which affects the reproductive organs of women. It is a common medical condition that affects the lower abdomen and occurs when the tissue that aligns inside the womb grows outside it. In most cases, it happens without the knowledge of the victim. However, endometriosis can be very chronic, and it is associated with a lot of pain and problems with fertility. The diagnosis of endometriosis can take a long time because many women take the pain for granted like any other normal pain. Until a diagnosis is made, most women try to cope with the pain. They believe it is part of their menstrual period ("Endometriosis: Overview," 2014).
In relation to epidemiology, the condition affects nearly 176 million women in the world, which is a translation of 5 million women in the US alone. Many more have the disease, but they do not show the symptoms. Endometriosis can affect any girl or woman experiencing menstrual periods. It is mostly common in women in the age bracket of 30 and 40s. In addition to that, women across all racial-ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds are affected (Eisenberg & Chahine, 2014).
Etiology and risk factors
The particular cause of endometriosis has not been fully understood. However, there are explanations for endometriosis growth. This include:
Retrograde menstruation
This condition results to the backing up of menstrual blood into the pelvis and fallopian tubes instead of coming out normally. Additional research is required to find out why only a handful of women manifest the condition during retrograde menstruation (Smith, 2015).
Embryonic cell growth
The embryonic cells that line the abdomen and pelvis may develop gradually into endometrial tissue inside those cavities (Smith, 2015).
Fetal development
According to Smith (2015), some information depicts that endometriosis can be in existent in a developing fetus. The estrogen levels that are associated with puberty are believed to trigger the disease.
Genetics
There is a possibility that endometriosis can be inherited. There is a high probability of a girl developing the condition if one of her close female relatives is suffering from the disease (Smith, 2015).
Environmental causes
Endometriosis may result from certain toxins from the environment. These toxins affect the immune and reproductive system. Research suggests that there is a connection between high levels dioxin in animals and endometriosis. However, it is not yet clear that this also applies to humans.
Pathophysiological process
The development of this condition is related to genetic factors. If a close relative is affected, the risk of contracting endometriosis is about 7%. According to recent studies, a genome linkage in 1176 affected people per family and pinpointed a substantial vulnerability locus for endometriosis. Additionally, the disease originates from the transport of feasible endometrial cells through retrograde menstruation. The ectopic centers of endometrial tissue hold their cyclic hormonal responsiveness that contributes to the symptoms. The condition does not progress in all women who experience retrograde menstruation (Simon, n.d.).
Coelomic metaplasia theory describes the histogenesis of endometriosis by hypothesizing that the peritoneal mesothelium may go through metaplastic alteration to endometrial tissue. This approach is founded on the fact the endometrium and the peritoneum are derived from the coelomic wall epithelium. Transformation of the metaplastic is made by chronic irritants in the reversing menstrual fluid (Simon, n.d.).
Clinical manifestations and complications
The physical signs and symptoms that are important in considering the presence of the disease include pain. This pain mainly affects the pelvic. This is regarded as the most common symptom of endometriosis. The pain may also be experienced during intercourse in women. The symptoms are often gradual, meaning the pain is severe right before or during the period. Pelvic and lower abdominal pain is a common occurrence in women as well. Other common manifestations include bleeding between menstrual periods, infertility, stomach digestive problems, and pain during bowel movements ("Endometriosis", 2016).
As time goes by, endometrial implants begin to grow in areas outside the womb and on the walls of the fallopian tube. The disorder has a profound consequence on the ovaries, the area between the uterus and rectum, and the connective tissue. Any alteration of the ovaries or the fallopian tubes results in fertility problems. Moreover, the bladder and bowel may be affected as well causing problems of bowel movements and urination ("Endometriosis: Overview," 2014).
.
Diagnostics
The following methods are used for diagnosis.
Pelvic exam
During a pelvic inspection, the medic feels for big cysts or scars that may be present in the uterus. It is hard to feel areas that have been partially infected (Eisenberg & Chahine, 2014).
Imaging test
The doctor performs an ultrasound to check for ovarian cysts. The doctor inserts a scanner into the vagina or moves it across the abdomen. In these cases, sound waves are used to make the pictures of the reproductive organs (Eisenberg & Chahine, 2014).
Laparoscopy
This is a type of surgery that doctors perform to look inside the pelvic area to observe the endometriosis tissue. This is the best way of diagnosing that one is suffering from endometriosis. Doctors diagnose endometriosis by observing the growths. However, at times, they ought to take a sample of tissue and study it using a microscope to confirm the manifestation of the disease (Eisenberg & Chahine, 2014).
Conclusion
In conclusion, this condition can affect key areas of a woman’s life and well-being from her self-esteem and relationships and family planning. To live as comfortable as possible despite suffering from endometriosis a lot of difficult decisions must be made. One has to be well informed about therapy and ways of organizing life to minimize the influence the disease as much as possible. Proper medical attention and support from doctors who have a thorough understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of the condition are mandatory. It is always advisable to consult whenever you need to change medication or to seek further medical care.
References
Endometriosis: Overview. (2014). Institute For Quality And Efficiency In Health Care (Iqwig). Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072685/
Smith, L. (2015). Endometriosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Medical News Today. Retrieved 10 June 2016, from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/149109.php
Simon, C. Endometriosis Pathophysiology and Diagnosis (1st ed.). Retrieved from https://www.globalfertilityacademy.org/static/resources-en/1/1-06.pdf
Endometriosis. (2016). Obgyn.ucla.edu. Retrieved 10 June 2016, from http://obgyn.ucla.edu/endometriosis
Eisenberg, E. & Chahine, B. (2014). Endometriosis. Womens Health. Retrieved 10 June 2016, from http://www.womenshealth.gov/publications/our-publications/fact- sheet/endometriosis.html#
