Endometriosis

Symptoms and characteristics of endometriosis

When a woman has endometriosis, the tissue that lines her uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. No one is sure why this happens. When this tissue grows outside of the uterus, it is mostly found in the pelvic cavity, usually in one or more of these places: on or under the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the tissues that hold the uterus in place, or on the bowels or bladder. In very rare cases, endometriosis areas can grow in the lungs or other parts of the body.

As the tissue grows, it can develop into growths, also called tumors or implants. These growths are usually benign (not cancerous) and rarely are associated with cancer. Growths can cause mild to severe pain, infertility (not being able to get pregnant), and heavy periods. The endometriosis growths are affected by the monthly menstrual cycle. Each month, the lining of the uterus thickens to get ready for pregnancy. If a woman does not become pregnant, the lining of the uterus sheds and the woman bleeds. When a woman has endometriosis, the growths outside of the uterus also bleed during her period. But there is no way for the blood to leave her body, and inflammation and scar tissue can develop. Blockage or bleeding in the intestines and problems with bladder function may also occur.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

A common symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the abdomen, lower back, and pelvic areas. The amount of pain a woman feels is not linked to how much endometriosis she has. Some women have no pain even though their disease affects large areas, or there is scarring. Some women, on the other hand, have severe pain even though they have only a few small areas of endometriosis.

General symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):

• Extremely painful (or disabling) menstrual cramps; pain may get worse over time
• Chronic pelvic pain (includes lower back pain and pelvic pain)
• Pain during or after sex
• Intestinal pain
• Painful bowel movements or painful urination during menstrual periods
• Heavy menstrual periods
• Premenstrual spotting or bleeding between periods
• Infertility (not being able to get pregnant)

Also, women who have endometriosis may have gastrointestinal symptoms that are like those of a bowel disorder, as well as fatigue.

How would I know if I have endometriosis?

If you think you might have this disease, talk with the providers at Minnesota Women’s Care. There are a number of tests a doctor can perform to try to find out if you have endometriosis. Sometimes, imaging tests are used to make a "picture" of the inside of the body, which allows a doctor to locate larger endometriosis areas. Most often a laparoscopy is performed to make the diagnosis.The only way to know for sure if you have endometriosis is to have a laparoscopy.

This is a surgery with general anesthesia in which a tube with a light is placed inside your abdomen. The surgeon can then check your organs and see any growths or tissue from endometriosis. This procedure will show the location, extent, and size of the growths and help you and your doctor make better treatment decisions. Before surgery, you will need to discuss your medical history with your doctor, and have a physical (pelvic) exam.

What causes endometriosis?

No one knows for sure what causes this disease. One theory is that during menstruation some of the menstrual tissue backs up through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen, where it implants and grows. Another theory suggests that endometriosis may be genetic, or runs in families. Researchers also are looking at the role of the immune system and how it either stimulates or reacts to endometriosis. It may be that a woman's immune system does not remove the menstrual fluid in the pelvic cavity properly, or the chemicals made by areas of endometriosis may irritate or promote growth of more areas.

Results from a recent study showed that women who have the disease are more likely than other women to have immune system disorders in which the body attacks its own tissues. This study also found that women with endometriosis are more likely to have chronic fatigue syndrome and to suffer from fibromyalgia syndrome - a disease involving pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These women also are more likely to have asthma, allergies, and the skin condition eczema. So, researchers feel that further study of the immune system in endometriosis may give important clues to finding the causes of and treatment for the disease.

Other researchers are looking into endometriosis as a disease of the endocrine system, the body's system of glands, hormones, and other secretions, since estrogen appears to promote the growth of the disease. Other research is looking at whether environmental agents, such as exposure to man-made chemicals, cause the disease. More research is trying to understand what, if any, factors affect the course of the disease.

Another important area of research is the search for endometriosis markers. These markers are substances in the body made by or in response to the disease, and can be measured in the blood or urine. If markers are found by a blood or urine test, then a diagnosis for endometriosis could be made without surgery.

What is the treatment for endometriosis?

There is no cure for endometriosis. But there are many treatments, each of which has pros and cons. It is important to build a good relationship with your doctor, so you can decide what option is best for you.

Pain Medication

For some women with mild symptoms, no further treatment other than medication for pain may be needed. For women with minimal endometriosis who want to become pregnant, doctors are saying that, depending on the age of the woman and her amount of pain from the disease, the best thing to do is to have a trial period of unprotected sex for six months to one year. If she does not get pregnant in that time, then further treatment may be needed.

Hormone Treatment

For patients who do not wish to become pregnant, but need treatment for their disease, doctors may suggest hormone treatment. There are many forms of hormonal management, and you can work with your doctor to find one that best fits your needs. Some options are the following:  

Estrogen-progestin contraceptive: These are traditionally referred to as birth control pills. They control the growth of the tissue that lines the uterus to decrease menstrual pain and flow. Once a woman stops taking them, the ability to become pregnant returns, but the symptoms of endometriosis also may return. Some women take birth control pills continuously, without using the sugar pills that signal the body to go through menstruation. When birth control pills are taken in this way, the menstrual period may stop altogether, which can reduce pain or get rid of it entirely. 

Progestins: This option is beneficial for patients who are unable to take or prefer to avoid estrogen. These work to prevent endometrial tissue growth. There are many forms of progesterone-only menstrual treatment, including Depo Provera (a long acting injection), oral progesterone, the progesterone arm implant, or the progesterone IUD.  

GnRH agonists or antagonists: These work to suppress ovarian hormone production, which inhibits menstruation and stops the growth of endometriosis. They come in a long acting intramuscular injection, or a short acting oral pill. Because it results in a hypoestrogenic state, these medications can cause side effects, such as hot flashes, tiredness, problems sleeping, headaches, depression, bone loss, and vaginal dryness. For this reason, they are just approved for short term use (6 months for the injection and up to 2 years for the oral.) 

Surgery

Surgery is usually the best choice for women with extensive endometriosis, or those with severe pain. There are both minor and major surgeries that can help.

Our surgeons may suggest laparoscopy - which is also used to diagnose the disease. Two cuts in your lower abdomen are made to pass lasers or other small surgical tools into your abdomen. The growths and scar tissue are removed or destroyed and the blood vessels are sealed without stitches. The goal is to treat the endometriosis without harming the healthy tissue around it. Recovery from laparoscopy is much faster than for major surgery, like laparotomy.