Endometriosis – Prevalence Rate Of 20-50% In Infertile Women

Introduction

Endometriosis is when the type of tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in another place and is more common in infertile compared to fertile females, but the condition normally does not fully prevent pregnancy. The condition is estimated to affect over 1,000,000 women (estimates range from 3% to 18% of women) in the US. Endometriosis has a prevalence rate of 20-50% in infertile females (Rawson, 1991; Strathy, 1982; Verkauf, 1987) and as high as eighty percent in women with chronic pelvic pain (Carter, 1994).

It can affect any female, from premenarche to postmenopause, no matter her race, ethnicity or whether or not she has had children. In postmenopausal individuals it is a highly aggressive type of the disease characterized by total progesterone resistance and extraordinarily high levels of aromatase expression. Endometriosis may trigger inflammatory responses leading to scar creation and adhesions and may spread to the cervix and vagina or to sites of a surgical abdominal incision.

Symptoms

Symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):Painful, often disabling menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea); pain may become progressively worse over time, Chronic pain (typically lower back pain and pelvic pain, as well as abdominal), Painful sex (dyspareunia), Painful bowel movements (dyschezia) or painful urinating (dysuria), Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia), Nausea and vomiting, Premenstrual or intermenstrual spotting (bleeding between periods), Infertility and subfertility. Symptoms seem to grow worse with the passage of time, though cycles of remission and reoccurrence are the routine in some cases. Some women show no symptoms at all while others with mild disease and symptoms may simply need to be monitored.

Treatment

Treatment is routinely based on how bad the symptoms are, the severity of the disease, the individuals desire to have children in the future, her age, and can be extended up to one year if small doses of estrogen and progresterone are slowly administered to diminished bone weakening and side effects. Treatment with hormones goal is to stop ovulation for as long as possible and can sometimes force endometriosis into remission during the period of treatment and sometimes for months or years afterwards. Because of the effects on bone density, treatment with anti-gonadotropin drugs is normally limited to 6 months. Females with a strong family history of endometriosis may consider using oral contraceptive pills, as this may help to stop or slow down the development of the disease. Set up an appointment with your doctor if symptoms occur, or if back pain or other symptoms return after treatment.

Surgery

Surgery is usually the preferred choice for females with endometriosis who have a severe amount of growths, a great deal of pain, or fertility problems. Surgery (either laparoscopy or laparotomy) is normally only performed on women with severe endometriosis, including persons with adhesions and infertility problems. Surgery through the laparoscope (called operative laparoscopy) is rapidly replacing major abdominal surgery in the USA. The goal of surgery is to take out or destroy all of endometriosis-related tissue and adhesions, and restore the pelvic area to as close to normal as possible. In rare cases, nerve removal (neurectomy) may be performed during surgery to further ease the pain associated with the condition.

Conclusion

Endometriosis is a condition created by excessive estrogen created monthly in the female body, and is seen primarily during the reproductive years and is thought to be an auto-immune problem. If the immune system is compromised with a food intolerance, then removing that food type from the diet can, in some individuals, have an effect. Endometriosis can create pain and bleeding, particularly before and during menstrual periods, but may produce no symptoms at all.

It is said to affect about 10 to 15% of menstruating women aged 25 to 44 and appears to occur less often in females who have had several pregnancies, who use low dosage oral contraceptives, or who exercise regularly (especially if they began before age 15, exercise more than 7 hours a week, or both). The correct diet can provide the key to good health and conquering the disease. If you or somebody you care about develops endometriosis, it is important to research the disease as much as possible. Screening for the problem should be considered if your mother or sister has been diagnosed with it or if you are unable to become pregnant after trying for 1 year. The only certain way to confirm an endometriosis diagnosis is by laparoscopy.

Ricardo Henri is the webmaster of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a website containing a vast amount of information concerning caring for your own health containingout depending on drugs and needless surgery. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter @ rapid natural remedies or rapid natural treatments