The Effects of Endometriosis: A Chronic Multi-System Disease
Endometriosis is a disease that affects millions of women of reproductive age around the globe, specifically about five to ten percent. However, endometriosis has been widely misunderstood and misdiagnosed; scientists have struggled to find consistent symptoms to classify it. Fortunately, new research has been done to better understand the fluidity of endometriosis, increasing the chances of proper diagnosis and treatment.
Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial-like tissue—tissue that lines the inside of the uterus—occurring outside of the uterus. This tissue is only meant to be present within the uterus and gets pushed out by the body about every month when a female goes through the menstrual cycle. However, it starts to cause problems when it is present on the exterior of the uterus and on other organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, digestive tract, and rarely, the lungs and pericardium. Initially, endometriosis was classified as only a reproductive disease, but this classification is outdated and not entirely accurate. Newer research, including a literature review by Dr. Hugh Taylor and colleagues, has revealed that it is in fact a chronic, multisystem disease rather than one that just affects the pelvic area. This means that endometriosis causes physical and psychological symptoms impacting the whole body, and it lowers quality of life unless properly treated.
Endometriosis is characterized by endometrial-like tissue—tissue that lines the inside of the uterus—occurring outside of the uterus. This tissue is only meant to be present within the uterus and gets pushed out by the body about every month when a female goes through the menstrual cycle. However, it starts to cause problems when it is present on the exterior of the uterus and on other organs such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, digestive tract, and rarely, the lungs and pericardium. Initially, endometriosis was classified as only a reproductive disease, but this classification is outdated and not entirely accurate. Newer research, including a literature review by Dr. Hugh Taylor and colleagues, has revealed that it is in fact a chronic, multisystem disease rather than one that just affects the pelvic area. This means that endometriosis causes physical and psychological symptoms impacting the whole body, and it lowers quality of life unless properly treated.
Display of the female reproductive system.
Image Source: LJNovaScotia
The symptoms associated with endometriosis can now be better identified because research has helped healthcare professionals understand that these symptoms can be varied and present in different ways—depending on the individual. Aside from the presence of endometrial tissue in organs other than the uterus, researchers have found that endometriosis affects metabolism in the liver, leads to systemic inflammation, causes mood disorders including depression and anxiety, and causes pain sensitization by altering gene expression in the brain. The following symptoms have also been shown to occur in patients: increased pelvic pain before or during menstruation, significant pelvic pain during sex, and painful bowel movements. It is important to note that this is not a complete list of symptoms, and the effects of endometriosis on the body are still being studied. Furthermore, the presence of symptoms is not enough to diagnose an individual. Therefore, pelvic exams, in which a doctor checks for cysts and scars, as well as imaging tests like ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, are both useful methods to test for endometriosis.
In conclusion, recent endometriosis research has revealed the variable nature of the disease and its symptoms, which is essential to recognize for proper diagnosis at an early stage to prevent prolonged pain and give patients the opportunity to get effective treatment.
In conclusion, recent endometriosis research has revealed the variable nature of the disease and its symptoms, which is essential to recognize for proper diagnosis at an early stage to prevent prolonged pain and give patients the opportunity to get effective treatment.
Featured Image Source: Saydung89
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