women’s health / EDUCATION
Endometriosis
ENDOMETRIOSIS AWARENESS DAY
1 MARCH
101
Endometriosis is a progressive, chronic condition in which cells like those that line the uterus are found in other parts of the body
S
tudies suggest that endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, with an
estimated 176 million women worldwide having the condition. Unfortunately, for many of these women, there is often a delay in diagnosis of endometriosis resulting in unnecessary suffering and reduced quality of life. In patients aged 18-45 years, the average delay is 6.7 years. As most women with endometriosis report the onset of symptoms during adolescence, early referral, diagnosis,
SYMPTOMS
identification of disease, and treatment
The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some experience symptoms of severe pains, others
may mitigate pain, prevent disease
have no symptoms at all.
progression, and thus preserve fertility. PAIN: The most common symptom of endometriosis is chronic pelvic pain especially just before, or during the menstrual period. Pain may also occur during sexual intercourse. If endometriosis is present on the bowel, pain during bowel movements can occur. If the bladder is affected, pain may be felt during urination. Heavy bleeding can occur with or without clots. Bleeding may be irregular, continue for
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a long period, or spotting may occur before the menstrual period.
Endometriosis should be viewed as a chronic disease that requires a life-long management plan with the goal of maximising the use of medical treatment and avoiding repeat surgical procedures
SEVERE MENSTRUAL CRAMPS: Many women experience mild menstrual cramps, which are considered normal. When cramping is more severe it is called dysmenorrhoea. Severe cramping may occasionally cause nausea, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Primary dysmenorrhoea occurs during the early years of menstruation, tends to improve with age, and is usually not related to endometriosis. Secondary dysmenorrhea occurs after the early years of menstruation and may continue to worsen with age. This may be a warning sign of endometriosis, although some women with endometriosis feel no cramping at all and many women with dysmenorrhoea don’t have endometriosis. BLADDER AND BOWEL PROBLEMS: Changes in the pattern of bowel habit such as constipation or diarrhoea, feeling the need to urinate more frequently, and increased abdominal bloating with or without pain at the time of the period. INFERTILITY: There is a large body of evidence that demonstrates an association between endometriosis and infertility. Almost 40% of women with infertility problems have endometriosis. Inflammation from endometriosis may damage the sperm or egg or interfere with
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their movement through the fallopian tubes and uterus. In severe cases of endometriosis, the fallopian tubes may be blocked by adhesions or scar tissues.
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Pharmacy Magazine MARCH 2020 |
15
