How is endometriosis treated? Endometriosis of the uterus: what is it and how to protect yourself from this disease

Endometriosis of the uterus is a disease that is quite common in the practice of gynecologists. It is generally believed to be hormone-dependent pathology, in which the endometrium (the mucous layer lining the inside of the uterus and regularly leaving the uterus) begins to grow in other parts of the female body, where it should not in principle exist.

At what age can you get endometriosis?

By the number of cases, the endometriosis of the uterine myoma and various inflammatory processes in the genital organs were able to "outrun" them. And, as studies have shown, the most commonly described disease occurs in women in reproductive age (after thirty years and up to fifty). In women over fifty this disease is already impossible: after all, with the onset of menopause in women, the endometrium practically disappears, and, hence, there is no risk of pathology development, which this article will be devoted to.

The secret of the onset of endometriosis

Researchers believe, referring to endometriosis of the uterus, that this disease is polyethological, that is, one that can have many causes that have served its development. And sometimes these reasons can not be precisely established. The most frequent of them are:

• Genetic predisposition. So, according to the results of recent studies, in the family of a woman with endometriosis, there is usually at least one other blood relative affected by this pathology. Identified and individual genetic signs that determine the predisposition of a particular woman to endometriosis.
• Hormonal disorders. It was also found that in patients with the described disease the level of progesterone decreases and changes in the ratio of steroid hormones are observed.
• Impaired immunity. The normal level of immunity does not allow endometrial cells to survive outside the uterus. The decrease in the protective functions of the body leads to the fact that the endometriotic tissue continues its growth both outside the uterus and inside it, germinating into its body (thus the endometriosis of the uterus and cervix of the uterus begins).
• Metaplasia. So in medicine is called the degeneration of one tissue into another. In the case of the endometrium, the reasons for this transformation are unknown and cause controversy.

How does the pathological process begin?

It is also worthwhile to know when discussing the diagnosis of "endometriosis of the uterus" that this disease begins with the throwing of small particles of the endometrium with the current of menstrual blood into the abdominal cavity (or together with the lymph) and into other organs of the woman's body. There, tissue particles attach and begin their pathological growth, often disrupting the ability of the affected organ to function and causing suffering and pain.

Foci of tissue growth can be observed both near the genitals, in places in contact with them (intestines, peritoneum or bladder), and in distant (for example, in the larynx, lungs and even in the eyes).

Classification of the disease

In gynecology, the types of endometriosis are usually distinguished depending on its location.

• Genital endometriosis is characterized by the fact that foci of endometrioid tissue are found within the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus. Endometriosis inside the womb is called "adenomyosis" and is the most common type of this disease.
• The extragenital form of the disease implies the presence of foci outside the genitals. It, in turn, is divided into peritoneal (affected surface of peritoneum, ovaries and small pelvis) and extraperitoneal (defeat of external genitalia, vagina, uterine ligaments and cervix).
• Combined form combines lesions in both the genital and extragenital cavities of the female body.

Symptoms of endometriosis of the uterus

Symptoms of endometriosis of the uterus are manifested depending on the characteristics of each organism. Occasionally, for example, this disease generally does not make itself felt, and it can be detected only during preventive examinations. Although usually any symptoms are always present.

The most frequent is pain syndrome. It is present in 60% of patients with endometriosis and, as a rule, manifests as dysmenorrhea. That is, in the form of pains in the lower abdomen, which a woman experiences during the period of menstruation. They can be accompanied by weakness, headache, dizziness, nausea, lack of appetite and vomiting. All these signs are most pronounced in endometriosis a couple of days before the onset of menstruation and in its first three days.

Menstrual discharge becomes abundant, and sometimes appear between menstruation. Often observed a violation of the cycle.

Uncommon in cases of endometriosis is dyspareunia (pain and discomfort during intercourse). More often, similar phenomena occur in patients with vaginal, sacro-uterine ligament, space in the rectum and uterus, as well as the rectovaginal septum.

Adenomyosis of the uterus

Now we will dwell in detail on the special case of endometriosis - adenomyosis, since this is the most common form of the described disease. In a different way, it can be called internal uterine endometriosis, since pathological changes in this case occur in the cavity of this organ. Mucous germinates inside the body of the uterus, into its muscular layer, forming diffuse changes or, more rarely, nodular and focal lesions.

All this causes disturbances in the function of the organ, swelling in the affected area and pain. Depending on how deeply sprouted into the tissue of the endometrium, four degrees of damage are distinguished. And they are all accompanied by abundant secretions during menstruation, and sometimes between them. As a result, women develop anemia, pale or icteric skin, lethargy, drowsiness, irritability, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

Internal endometriosis of the uterus, the treatment of which will be described below, is often combined with uterine myoma or (sometimes) with an ovarian tumor. Often, he is joined by chronic inflammation of the appendages.

Perhaps the most serious consequence of the described disease is infertility (namely, the inability to conceive a child), which occurs in 40% of patients.

Endometriosis and pregnancy

For sure it will frighten women who are diagnosed with endometriosis of the uterus. Can I Get Pregnant? in this case? What prevents hare from conceiving?

It should be noted at once that the infertility relationship with endometriosis has not been sufficiently studied and there are constant disputes between specialists around it. There are several opinions about what provokes the problem:

• In this disease in the fallopian tubes, mechanical disturbance is detected;
• Sometimes pregnancy is hampered by the presence of an adhesion process that hinders the release of the egg, or a disruption in the structure of the ovaries;
• On closer inspection, infertility is also responsible for the immunological disorders mentioned above, they interfere with the process of ovulation, fertilization and implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus.

It is interesting that, according to the results of recent studies, the majority of women with endometriosis do not have a true ovulation, despite regular menstruation. A conception without this is impossible. In addition to those mentioned above, there is also the view that the female body determines whether a woman can bear a child, and therefore pregnancy does not occur because of the lack of favorable conditions for it.

Of course, endometriosis is not a sentence for those wishing to have a baby. Although the treatment lasts a long time.

Treatment of endometriosis of the uterus

Now let's talk about how to treat endometriosis of the uterus In modern medicine. This process can be carried out by conservative (medication), surgical (organ-preserving or radical way) and combined method.

Conservative treatment is used when the course of the disease passes asymptomatically, and also if the patient is under 30 years old, in the period before menopause and in cases where it is necessary to restore the ability to conceive. It includes traditional therapy, which involves the use of hormonal, anti-inflammatory, desensitizing drugs, as well as symptomatic treatment.

In no case do self-medication, relying only on the use of folk methods! Urgently address to the expert!

Treatment: uterine myoma , endometriosis

Endometriosis is often combined with uterine myoma. And similar methods are used to treat these diseases, due to the same mechanisms of development and pathological conditions.

How is endometriosis treated and fibroids treated? Depending on the condition and age, the patients resort, as already mentioned, to drug therapy and to surgical intervention. Both these methods are performed against the background of taking hormonal drugs, since both of these diseases appear most often due to a violation of the hormonal background of a woman.

For therapy, use is made of gestagens, combined estrogen-progestogen, as well as antigonadotropic drugs that exclude menstrual function at the time of treatment. And this, in turn, helps regress the foci of endometriosis lesion irrespective of their location.

Gestagenic agents are preparations containing the natural hormone progesterone or its synthetic substitutes. This hormone sets such a state of the endometrium when it is ready to receive and develop a fertilized egg. These drugs include such drugs as "Norkolut", "Gettrinon", "Dyufaston", etc. They are prescribed at all stages of the disease. The course is from 6 months to 8 months.

Antigonadotropic drugs inhibit the production of hormones (they are called gonadotropes), stimulating the functioning of the gonads. These drugs include medicines "Danol", "Danogen", "Danazol", etc. They are taken within six months. And they are contraindicated only in cases when the body of a woman and without that the level of androgens is high.

Surgery

Now let's clarify how to treat endometriosis of the uterus with the help of surgery. It is divided into two types: one preserves the organs, and only the foci of the disease are removed, and with the other organs they are removed together with the extensive affected areas.

The latter method is most often used for nodal forms of the disease, the presence of ovarian cysts provoked by endometrioid tissue, or in combination of the described pathology with uterine fibroids.

In the postoperative period, hormone therapy is prescribed for half a year. And in some cases, before the operation, hormonal treatment is performed.

In the presence of infertility and small lesions in the form of adhesions, laparoscopy is performed. It refers to the type of microsurgical operations and is performed through a small incision.

It is also important to conduct electrocoagulation of the foci of the disease with subsequent hormonal therapy.

Folk methods of treatment of endometriosis

As already mentioned above, independent treatment of endometriosis can lead to serious consequences. Such a diagnosis can not be made without special examination, since the disease does not have specific, only symptoms. So, and to be treated without supervision of results too it is impossible.

Before you start taking any medicinal herbs, be sure to consult a doctor. Sometimes, to improve the patient's condition, the doctor suggests treating endometriosis with a hog uterus. Now we will dwell on this tool in more detail, explaining how the given herb is acting and prepared.

Endometriosis and coronary uterus: recipes

The bovine uterus is a medicinal plant (in a different way - one-sided orthility), which since 2003 has been authorized by the Ministry of Health to be used in the treatment of the female genitourinary system.

It is prescribed in cases of inflammatory diseases, infertility, fibromioma, uterine bleeding, the presence of adhesions, menstruation disorders, as well as in endometriosis. For this use infusions and decoctions of the named medicinal herb.

The broth is prepared from one tablespoon of the product. It is added to boiling water (1 glass) and for ten minutes continue to boil over a small fire. Then the broth is allowed to stand for about 4 hours and filter. Take it should be a tablespoon half an hour before meals to 4 times a day.

Treatment of endometriosis with a hogweed is carried out with the help of infusion. It is made from 2 tablespoons of herbs. They are poured with boiling water (2 cups), covered with a lid and wrapped. Allow to stand for 15 minutes, after which filter. This infusion is taken in several dosages: or 4 times a day for half a glass half an hour before meals, or (more gentle method) in a tablespoon 3 times an hour before meals.

Both the broth and the infusion can be used for syringing according to the indications.

A few tips

As you already probably understand from all of the above, endometriosis can not be detected independently, and regular pain sensations associated with the menstrual cycle, attributed to the characteristics of your body. However, at the initial stage of the disease, even they may not be. Therefore, it is extremely necessary to undergo an examination in a gynecologist in a timely manner. And if you have any suspicious pain or heavy menstruation, do not delay with a visit to the doctor.

If you want to keep your health and ability to give birth to a strong baby, be attentive to your health and prudent. And then you will not have to find out with fear how to treat the endometriosis of the uterus and what it can threaten the body. Be healthy!