Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the growth of tissue that is functionally identical to the endometrium. Foci of endometriosis are small formations of various sizes and shapes that are filled with mucus, blood and ciliated epithelium. As a rule, the disease affects women whose age is from 20 to 40 years. In 70% of cases, internal endometriosis occurs.
Symptoms
- Pain in the pelvic area, which usually gets worse before and during menstruation.
- Menstrual cycle shortens or lengthens.
- Change in menstrual flow (increase or decrease in volume).
- Problems conceiving a child.
- Appearance of spotting between periods.
All women should be aware that internal endometriosis may not appear for quite some time. In such situations, most of them learn aboutthe presence of pathology during a preventive examination by a gynecologist. In addition, this disease is characterized by a progressive and long course, and the sooner it is detected, the more chances there will be for the restoration of reproductive function.
Very often this disease is combined with endometriosis of other organs. And not necessarily sexual. For example (at stage 3 or 4 of the disease), intestinal endometriosis may develop.
Diagnosis
Internal endometriosis of the body of the uterus is detected after determining the clinical picture of the disease, as well as the results of additional studies (hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography), which must be carried out on the 7-9th day of the menstrual cycle.
To detect internal endometriosis, it is necessary to conduct an ultrasound of the pelvis. It will show the presence of a cellular structure of the uterine wall, its rounded shape and diffuse thickening of the myometrium. If a node with a heterogeneous structure and without a clear contour of the capsule is found, then the diagnosis is "nodular endometriosis".
Treatment
As a rule, in order to cure internal endometriosis, they resort to a combination of medical and surgical methods. If the disease was detected on time, then you can get by with taking medication.
Treatment of endometriosis with drugs is to take hormones for a long time. Their effect is based on the normalization of the ovaries and the prevention of the appearance of new foci.diseases. But this method will be effective if the formation of cysts has not occurred. In addition, hormone therapy has many contraindications.
In case of cyst formation (or when drug treatment has not brought the desired results), surgical intervention is prescribed. Recently, laparoscopy has been used - an operation performed through a small incision that is made with a laser. After it is carried out, the patient needs to restore the cycle of menstruation by taking a course of medications and undergoing a course of physiotherapy. If the disease is severe (provided that the woman no longer plans to have children), the uterus is removed.
