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Endometriosis
How many days does the pain from endometriosis last?
Endometriosis refers to the condition where active endometrial cells implant outside the uterine lining. It is a relatively common gynecological disease. Pain usually begins one to two days before menstruation starts, is most severe on the first day of menstruation, and gradually lessens thereafter. The pain generally persists throughout the menstrual period. It is advised that patients with endometriosis seek timely treatment under the guidance of a clinical doctor, based on their individual conditions, to prevent the progression of the disease and serious health consequences.
Endometriosis Clinical Manifestations
Endometriosis is clinically most evident in dysmenorrhea, which tends to worsen progressively. The clinical presentation varies depending on where the endometrial tissue is located. If the tissue is located on the ovaries, it can form ovarian chocolate cysts. Generally, chocolate cysts can affect fertility, leading to anovulation and the appearance of ovarian chocolate-like cysts. Treatment typically involves surgical intervention, which is characterized by a high risk of recurrence after surgery. If there is no immediate plan for pregnancy, there is also a possibility of recurrence. Additionally, if endometriosis involves the uterus, it can lead to a uniformly enlarged uterus and uneven uterine wall echoes, resulting in adenomyosis. Therefore, the most typical clinical manifestation of endometriosis is progressively worsening dysmenorrhea.
What tests are done for endometriosis?
For patients with endometriosis, it is recommended that you undergo a gynecological ultrasound examination to observe the condition of the ectopic endometrial tissue in the pelvic cavity, whether it is present on the uterus or ovaries, and whether it has grown on the abdominal wall. Therefore, it is advised to have a gynecological ultrasound examination and a gynecological exam. Patients with endometriosis can also have a blood test for tumor markers. If you wish to undergo additional tests, you can also have a cervical cancer screening, which is also possible. The main recommendations are the first three: the gynecological exam, gynecological ultrasound, and tumor marker tests. These examinations are advisable. If the endometriosis is very severe and the pain is quite intense, treatment may be necessary.
Does endometriosis need treatment?
Whether or not endometriosis requires treatment entirely depends on the patient's symptoms. If it is a mild case of endometriosis without severe symptoms, the patient can undergo regular follow-up visits. However, if the patient experiences severe abdominal pain during menstruation, it depends on whether the patient has reproductive demands. If there are reproductive demands, medication can be administered; clinically, high-dose progestogens are commonly used to prevent the ectopic endometrial tissue from continuing to grow. If the patient has no desire for childbirth and suffers from severe pain, a hysterectomy and bilateral adnexectomy may be performed.
Is endometriosis serious?
Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrium, which normally lines the uterus and has growth potential, is found outside of the uterine cavity, commonly in the ovaries. The typical clinical manifestation of endometriosis is abdominal pain during menstruation. Such pain intensifies as the condition progresses and can ultimately impact the patient's work and daily life, to the extent that they may not be able to work normally. Thus, endometriosis can become quite severe over time and may lead to infertility in women who wish to conceive.
Endometriosis characteristics
The main characteristic of endometriosis is painful menstruation, and in severe cases, it can lead to heavy periods and prolonged menstrual cycles. If endometriosis leads to the formation of ovarian chocolate cysts, the rupture of these cysts can cause severe abdominal pain. Moreover, endometriosis can easily lead to pelvic adhesions, which are a common cause of infertility. If the condition is severe, abdominal pain may also occur after the menstrual period has ended. In the case of adenomyosis, the symptoms include an enlarged uterine body, heavy periods, and prolonged menstrual cycles. If the condition is severe, then surgical treatment may be necessary.
Is it easy to get pregnant with endometriosis?
Endometriosis, which has a relatively high incidence among women, refers to the condition where the endometrial tissue is located outside the uterine cavity. This condition can easily lead to infertility. Although endometriosis is a benign disease, it exhibits characteristics similar to those of malignant diseases, primarily manifesting as local infiltration that causes adhesions and can disrupt the function of the fallopian tubes and ovaries. First, it can lead to the presence of chocolate cysts on the ovaries, which can affect the ovulation function of the ovaries. Second, it can sometimes cause adhesions in the fallopian tubes or pelvic adhesions, affecting the egg-pickup function of the fallopian tubes. This prevents sperm and eggs from fertilizing within the fallopian tubes. Even if fertilization occurs, the impaired function of the fallopian tubes may also lead to an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Endometriosis has several manifestations.
When women suffer from endometriosis, the clinical manifestations can vary depending on the specific location of the ectopic endometrial tissue, but there are some commonalities. A major symptom is pain related to menstruation, such as dysmenorrhea. For example, ovarian chocolate cysts can cause progressively worsening dysmenorrhea and affect the amount of menstrual flow; issues like increased menstrual volume and prolonged menstrual periods can also occur, and some women may experience pain during intercourse. Endometriosis often leads to the occurrence of pelvic adhesions, so some women may also experience chronic pelvic pain. When endometrial tissue is located on the ovaries, it can affect normal ovulation and hormone secretion, leading to irregular menstrual cycles and infertility.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine lining grows outside of the uterine cavity, commonly seen in the pelvic region, particularly above the ovaries. Therefore, ultrasound (B-ultrasound) examinations are primarily used for accuracy. The ultrasound may reveal a large mass on one side of the fallopian tubes or ovaries, with uneven content inside. During the ultrasound, it can also be observed that the capsule of the mass is intact. Additionally, during a gynecological examination, the doctor may also feel a mass in the adnexa.
What tests are done for endometriosis?
Endometriosis is generally diagnosed through color ultrasound and CA-125 blood tests. If the endometrial tissue is located within the uterine muscle, it forms adenomyosis, at which point the ultrasound will show an enlarged uterus and uneven muscle wall echogenicity. Blood tests for the tumor marker CA-125, if elevated above the normal level of 35, generally indicate adenomyosis. If the endometrial tissue is located in the ovaries, it can form ovarian chocolate cysts, which are visible on the ultrasound as ovarian sections and echoes, with typical ultrasound reports indicating ovarian chocolate cysts. Therefore, routine examinations for endometriosis typically include color ultrasound and blood tests, which can confirm the diagnosis.