Endometriosis: what, how, when, and why

 Endometriosis: what, how, when, and why

Endometriosis is a chronic disease that affects young women of childbearing age: from the time they get it until its demise, from 10-15 years to 35-50 years, although a small proportion of cases retain symptoms during menopause.

What is endometriosis specifically? What are its symptoms and consequences? To what extent is early diagnosis necessary? Is the pregnancy compatible with endometriosis? What can the patient do to feel better and improve the quality of life?

It is a disease that causes a lot of pain during menstruation and ovulation, often constant pelvic pain, and discomfort during intercourse. Such physical harassment is often unlikely, preventing normal life and, in some cases, making pregnancy difficult or directly preventing it.

The endometrium is transplanted for reasons unknown with certainty outside its usual place and is therefore called "extrauterine."

In endometriosis, endometriosis is implanted, for reasons not known for certain, outside its usual place, and therefore the endometrium is called "extrauterine".

From there, every month you prepare for a potential pregnancy and respond equally to ovarian hormones. Since the endometrium is not in place, there is no way out of the menstrual cycle, which therefore remains inside the body. These menstrual remains are responsible for the pain experienced by women with endometriosis. In addition, this sticky liquid produces adhesions, meaning that organs such as the intestines or ovaries stick together, contributing to pain and infertility.

After reaching this uptake place, for the endometrium to grow, some changes must occur. The immune system is responsible for protecting the body from external factors and diseases to ensure our survival. The same thing happens when a woman is in menstruation and endometrial cells reach the pelvic cavity: the immune system destroys endometrial cells that are out of place.

Endometriosis is estimated to affect 2 million women in Spain, a quarter of whom—half a million—suffer from the most serious forms of the disease. "

Those cells that reach the pelvis, however, are not destroyed in all women. Science has no specific answer, but this may be because the immune system does not function properly or because endometrial cells are abnormal or resistant to the functioning of the immune system.

Endometriosis is estimated to affect nearly 10% of the world's women of reproductive age. In Spain, there are 2 million infected women, and a quarter of these, or half a million, suffer from the most serious forms of the disease.

Despite the figures, it usually takes a woman with endometriosis an average of eight years to get diagnosed. That doesn't mean you didn't ask for help during that time. You probably consulted many gynecologists until someone gave you a diagnosis of endometriosis. At the same time, many of these women are accused of suffering from physical or mental illnesses, suffering from depression, or feeling minor pain.

It can be really frustrating for the doctors themselves to tell you that you don't have anything, that they don't see anything abnormal. It's time to make it clear that your period should not hurt.

It can be really frustrating to feel such severe pain that makes you unable to live a peaceful life, and that the doctors themselves tell you that you don't have anything, that they don't see anything abnormal. It is time to make it clear that the rule must not hurt. Feeling discomfort in the abdomen during the days of menstruation or ovulation is one thing, but in no way should we accept that disrupted period pain is normal.

If your rules are painful and prevent you from following your daily routine, going to work or school, If you feel severe pain every time you have sex with your partner, If you have an orgasm that hurts the moment or the next day, seek medical help because you probably have endometriosis.

With adequate knowledge, women are in a position to be champions of the decision-making process, to take care of themselves on a daily basis, and to demand the primary attention of professionals who can help them obtain a better quality of life.