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Treating endometriosis

Published:Wednesday | March 9, 2022 | 12:08 AMKeisha Hill/Senior Gleaner Writer

THOUGH YOU rarely hear about endometriosis in the news, it is actually the third leading cause of gynaecologic hospitalisation and among the leading causes of the estimated 600,000 hysterectomies performed each year in the United States. There is no cure for endometriosis and no known cause.

Those afflicted with endometriosis can face a lifetime of severe disability and symptoms throughout the entire body, including incapacitating pain, organ failure, several repeat surgeries, infertility, increased risk for cardiovascular disease, increased risk for certain cancers, immune and endocrinological dysfunction. They can also experience kidney failure, and damage to multiple organs and tissues, including the bowel, bladder, ureters, diaphragm, muscles, musculoskeletal structures, nerves, ligaments, lungs, and liver.

Due to the potential for such widespread, severe chronic symptoms, endometriosis is also one of the leading causes of school absences in teen and pre-teen girls.

March is Endometriosis Awareness Month. Endometriosis is an inflammatory condition where endometrial tissue (tissue similar to the lining of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus. It is estimated that one in 10 women have endometriosis.

Endometriosis can cause infertility, and for women with subfertility, the prevalence rate ranges from 25 per cent to 40 per cent.

Treatment for endometriosis usually involves medication or surgery. The approach you and your doctor choose will depend on how severe your signs and symptoms are, and whether you hope to become pregnant.

Doctors typically recommend trying conservative treatment approaches first, opting for surgery if initial treatment fails. Your doctor may recommend that you take an over-the-counter pain reliever to help ease painful menstrual cramps.

Your doctor may recommend hormone therapy in combination with pain relievers, if you are not trying to get pregnant.

Supplemental hormones are sometimes effective in reducing or eliminating the pain of endometriosis. The rise and fall of hormones during the menstrual cycle causes endometrial implants to thicken, break down and bleed. Hormone medication may slow endometrial tissue growth and prevent new implants of endometrial tissue.

Hormone therapy is not a permanent fix for endometriosis, and you could experience a return of your symptoms after stopping treatment.

Finding a doctor with whom you feel comfortable is crucial in managing and treating endometriosis. You may want to get a second opinion before starting any treatment, to be sure that you know all of your options and the possible outcomes.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com