Symptoms of endometriosis in Indian women.

Endometriosis is a medical condition affecting women of any age, where the tissues similar to the inner lining of the uterus grow in other parts of the reproductive system such as the ovaries and fallopian tubes. 

The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrial lining. During the menstrual cycle your body makes a new endometrium lining every month in order to implant the foetus in case of fertilisation. What happens in endometriosis is that the endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, causing various symptoms.

Endometrial tissue can grow abnormally in organs like:

• Fallopian tubes
• Uterosacral ligaments
• Ovaries
• Outer surface of the uterus
• Cavity between the uterus and the rectum 
• Cavity between the uterus or bladder

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Vary rarely, endometrial tissue can also grow on the:

• Bladder
• Rectum
• Stomach
• Vagina or vulva
• Intestines
• Cervix

Unlike the normal endometrial tissue, these tissues that grow in the  abnormal areas do not break down during a menstrual cycle. This abnormal tissue can cause various symptoms like:

• Severe pelvic pain 
• Painful period cramps that may radiate to stomach or lower back
• Discomfort during bowel movements 
• Bleeding between periods
• Problems in getting pregnant 
• Pain during sex
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• Tiredness or fatigue

Symptoms of endometriosis and it’s experiences can be different for different women. Many women with endometriosis can have trouble getting pregnant which can take a toll on their mental health. However it’s possible to get pregnant with endometriosis under a doctor’s guidance. Even if natural pregnancy is not achieved there are many fertility options available like, fertility preservation and in vitro fertilisation (IVF) .

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Treatments for endometriosis include:

There are various treatment options available for endometriosis which include both hormone therapy and surgical treatment. Hormone therapy affects the hormonal level. They are available generally in forms of pills and patches, IUDs. These include oral contraceptives containing oestrogen and progesterone. They help in stopping heavy periods and also control the growth of endometrial tissue. Painkillers like ibuprofen can be prescribed to relieve the period cramps.

Surgical methods are used when there’s a need to cut and shed the endometriosis tissue in pieces. Surgical methods may include laparotomy or hysterectomy depending on the condition. You should never ignore the symptoms and talk to a doctor to find the root cause of your symptoms in order to treat the condition effectively.