What Does Endometriosis Feel Like?
- Painful periods (dysmenorrhea)
- Pelvic pain and cramping
- Pain with intercourse
- Pain with bowel movements or urination
- Excessive bleeding
- Infertility, other signs and symptoms.
Endometriosis is a benign, but often painful, chronic disease in young women. It is a disease that develops as a result of the growth of the endometrium layer lining the uterus in another region outside the uterus.
It can be found in the organs in the abdomen (ovaries, uterine canal, intra-abdominal cavities, intestines, bladder) as well as outside the abdomen (vagina, navel). In addition to the bleeding that occurs in the lining of the uterus, these endometriosis causes bleeding and some complaints in the regions where there are foci. Tissues that accumulate outside the uterus can cause severe menstrual pain, persistent groin pain in the future, and in particular some problems such as infertility.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis (chocolate cyst)?
- Painful menstrual periods (Dysmenorrhea): Pelvic pain and cramps usually begin before menstruation and continue for several days during the cycle. There may also be lower back and abdominal pain.
- Pain during intercourse: Endometriosis pain occurs during or after intercourse.
- Pain during defecation or urination: There may be complaints of pain during defecation or urination that become evident during menstrual periods.
- Excessive bleeding: Occasionally excessive bleeding during menstrual periods or abnormal bleeding between periods.
- Infertility: Endometriosis is usually diagnosed for the first time in people seeking medical attention because of infertility.
- Other signs and symptoms: Symptoms such as increased fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, nausea, especially during menstrual periods may be seen.
What are the causes of endometriosis (chocolate cyst)?
- Genetic factors: If someone has a family with endometriosis disease, they are at higher risk of developing the disease.
- Menstruation in the opposite direction: Endometrial tissue lining the uterus is excreted through the vagina canal with menstrual bleeding. Sometimes there is bleeding backwards, in this case, endometrial tissue flows from the fallopian tubes into the abdominal cavity and can settle in the organs there and cause endometriosis.
How does endometriosis affect fertility?
- As it occurs in the ovaries, it disrupts ovulation.
- It kills sperm with the natural toxins it produces.
- It prevents the embryo from sticking inside the uterus.
- It affects embryo development negatively.
How is endometriosis (chocolate cyst) treated?
Drugs are tried first in the treatment of endometriosis. If medication is inadequate, surgery will be attempted. Sometimes medications and surgical treatment may be necessary.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and cramps during menstrual periods. Hormone therapy can be started together with painkillers for women who do not have a pregnancy plan. Hormone supplementation is effective in reducing or eliminating endometriosis pain. Hormone therapy cannot be applied to women who want children.
