Understanding Endometriosis Part II

Tue May 13, 2014

The first ever awareness campaign on Endometriosis in St Vincent and the Grenadines in well under way and is actually nearing completion. Soroptimist International St Vincent and the Grenadines is encouraged by the high level of interest on the subject of Endometriosis generated in the public as a result of the campaign.{{more}} It is hoped that the relevant information would have reached the majority of young girls and women through the various methods used so far to disseminate the information. Soroptimist also hopes that those who received this critical information about Endometriosis would share the insights gained with others who may not have had the benefit of such information.

This article is a follow up on a previous one published on March 21st, 2014. The information published in this week’s publication is intended to reinforce the content from the previous article as well as provide some new information on the subject of Endometriosis which affects the lives of so many women and girls.

What is Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition which arises from an abnormal location of the endometrium tissue which usually lines the inner part of the uterus to other locations in the body. When this happens the woman experiences certain problems.

Presentation of the Condition

Endometriosis can be of two types: Internal Endometriosis and External Endometriosis.

1. Internal Endometriosis is found inside the muscle of the uterus instead of the lining of the uterus as should normally be the case.

2. External Endometriosis or “true Endometriosis” is the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.

The manner in which a woman presents with Endometriosis can be varied. This depends on the extent of bleeding within the walls of the uterus, which can result in progressive enlargement of the uterus, sometimes confused with fibroids. In addition, multiple pockets of accumulation of bloody fluid, referred to as cysts, can be found in the uterine wall.

When enlargement of the uterus occurs, the size of the abdomen increases. Also, the woman could experience severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain, infertility, heavy menstrual flow and painful sexual intercourse.

Treatment

In light of the complexity of Endometriosis and the difficulty in arriving at an accurate diagnosis, treatment of the condition can be very challenging. However, treatment options will depend on: the severity of the condition:

The age of the woman

The desire to have children

Experiences with previous treatment and the side effects of drugs

In the final analysis, surgery may have to be considered as an option.

Conclusion

If a woman believes she is suffering from Endometriosis, she is strongly encouraged to consult a physician/doctor so that the best options to manage her particular situation could be determined.

Finally, Soroptimist International St Vincent and the Grenadines expresses appreciation to all those persons and corporations who helped to make 2014 Endometriosis Awareness Campaign a success.