Endometriosis Breakthrough: Hope on the Horizon with New Treatments
Explanations of the disease
Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects roughly 10% of reproductive age women and girls globally. It is characterized by the growth of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (endometrium) outside the uterus, resulting in pelvic pain and irregular menstrual cycles. Despite its prevalence, there is currently no known cure for endometriosis.
Symptoms and Causes
Symptoms of endometriosis include painful menstrual periods, chronic pain in the lower back and pelvis, pain during or after sex, painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods, and infertility. Some women might also experience diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
The exact cause of endometriosis is not known. The commonly associated causes are retrograde menstruation, hormonal imbalance in the body, surgical scars from surgeries such as a Cesarean (C-section) or hysterectomy, immune system problems, and genetics.
The most serious effects of the disease
Endometriosis, or what is known as endometriosis, affects one in every 10 women around the world of reproductive age between puberty and 50 years.
The negative effects of this chronic disease, which is described as a silent disease in many cases, on the quality of life, impairing fertility, and delaying childbearing, while early diagnosis of the disease helps limit its spread and complications.
Endometriosis surgery consultant, Professor Horace Roman, defines the disease as a chronic disease that is accompanied by severe pain that affects life during menstrual periods and urination, and causes chronic pelvic pain, flatulence, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility, in what is considered The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, which is most of the time associated with menstrual periods, although many women feel painful cramps during menstrual periods and excessive bleeding. Women with endometriosis describe that menstrual pain is much worse than usual, and it may also worsen. Pain over time, and the patient may feel pain in the lower back and stomach as well, and feel pain during sexual intercourse and during urination.
He points out that advanced endometrial diseases may affect the organs adjacent to the uterus, such as the rectum, ureters, or bladder, and organs far from the uterus, such as the diaphragm or sacral plexus. It also affects kidney function, and the risk of expansion of the disease tissue may reach a loss of kidney function or parts of the intestine. Therefore, a woman should listen to her body language because unusual symptoms or severe pain during menstrual periods may be the first sign of endometriosis.
Professor Roman stresses that women should consult a specialist doctor as soon as possible, as some women with endometriosis do not show any symptoms, and the disease is discovered accidentally when they are unable to get pregnant or after they undergo surgery for another reason, and here the disease is silent. It must be noted that a specialized doctor with extensive experience in this field is considered the right choice to avoid misdiagnosis and obtain the appropriate treatment plan according to each case, and MRI is considered the most accurate means of diagnosing the disease.
Professor Roman explains that there are multiple reasons that may contribute to the occurrence of the disease, such as genetics, environmental factors, hormones or immune factors that may help transform the cells lining the inner side of the abdomen, while managing the symptoms of the disease and the risk of its recurrence with medications such as birth control pills is one of the main methods of treatment. Women with this disease may need surgery in selected cases. It is very effective for treating pain and infertility. The beginning of the thirties is considered the appropriate age for surgery for this disease.
Some studies indicate that endometriosis increases the risk of ovarian cancer, but the overall age-specific risk of developing ovarian cancer is initially low.
It remains fairly low in people with endometriosis. Although rare, there is another type of cancer, adenocarcinoma associated with endometriosis, which can occur later in life
in women with endometriosis.
Prevention
While there is no known way to prevent endometriosis, certain measures may help to prevent or slow down the development of the condition. These include the use of birth control pills, regular exercise, reducing the intake of junk foods, and reducing the amount of alcohol and caffeine.
Treatment
Treatment for endometriosis often involves medicine or surgery. The approach chosen depends on the severity of the symptoms and whether the patient hopes to become pregnant. Medications such as Ibuprofen and Naproxen can be used to ease menstrual cramps. Hormone therapy can also be effective in reducing or eliminating the pain of endometriosis.
Surgical procedures such as laparoscopy can be used to remove endometrial tissue. In severe cases, a hysterectomy, which involves the removal of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, may be performed.
Latest Developments
Researchers from Sydney’s Royal hospital for women have made a world-first breakthrough in endometriosis research. They have grown tissue from every known type of endometriosis, observing changes and comparing how they respond to treatments.
In another development, researchers in the UK are conducting a groundbreaking clinical trial involving 100 women in Edinburgh and London. The trial will assess whether the drug, dichloroacetate, helps relieve pain. If successful, it would be the first non-hormonal, non-surgical treatment for endometriosis.
Conclusion
Endometriosis is a complex and debilitating condition that affects millions of women worldwide. While there is currently no cure, ongoing research and clinical trials offer hope for more effective treatments and improved quality of life for those living with the disease.
