To put it simply,endometriosisis hell.
Whats worse, endometriosis is a wily beast that experts are still trying to understand.
Fortunately, theres more information out there than ever before.
Dana Davenport
Theres even anannual marchto raise awareness.
Or at least, thats been the common belief.
Cysts can formand ruptureas can scar tissue, which can impair fertility.
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Doctors dont know what causes endometriosis in the first place.
In fact, research has shown thatsome fetuses are born with it already in their systems.
Specifically, that debris is sensitive to the hormone estrogen, which promotes painful inflammation and spurs endometriosis growth.
Opposing theories call elements of this into question.
Over the past two decades, researchers have realized that endometrial lining acts differently in women with endometriosis.
Another view posits that, actually, the tissue making up endometriosis isnt endometrial tissue at all.
Its genetically different from native endometrium within the uterus itself.
More research is needed to prove a causal link.
The main symptom of endometriosis is pain, and thats what doctors focus on when treating their patients.
We recommend [NSAIDs] all the time, and patients get help with them, Seckin says.
When cells of the lining proliferate, so too can the endometriosis cells outside the uterus.
There are also progestin-only methods, like theMirena IUD.
Theres a host of worries about Lupron.
Women may experience hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and mood problems when on the drug, Stratton says.
In rare cases, Lupron can cause issues like joint pain and memory loss, Sinervo says.
We also dont know what the long-term side effects are of the medication, he adds.
Its also only recommended for six months maximum, after which symptoms can return.
Its true that in some cases, having a hysterectomy and removing the ovaries may help mitigate the symptoms.
But its far from a be all, end all treatment.
Sinervo says, You have to treat the disease where it is.
A skilled and experienced surgeon may be able to get everything outor not.
It requires the utmost surgical precision.
Cutting endometriosis from areas like the ovaries can result indamaged fertilitywhen done incorrectly.
We found theres a focus of these trigger points in the pelvic floor, she says.
It relaxes those trigger points but also works on the perception of pain, Stratton explains.
Theyre still recruiting participants for the study, which you’re able to learn .
Although theres no sure-fire way to cureendometriosisfor every woman, doctors arent giving up on finding one.
This disease is terribleit works like acancer, just moving in, but it doesnt kill, Seckin says.
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