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What do you know about Endometriosis? Whether you know a lot or a little, here’s a rundown.

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disorder where tissue similar to the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, the endometrium, grows on or around the uterus. Unlike the lining in the uterus, however, it does not have a way to leave the body. This causes a build-up that can lead to scarring and painful cysts or inflammation. 

Who does it affect?

The disorder affects up to 10% of women between 15 and 44. Records state that 70% of the diagnosed women were White, 6% Hispanic,  9% Asian, and 4.7% Non-Hispanic Black. The National Library of Medicine reports that the study has a high risk of selection bias, so these percentages should be taken with a grain of salt. 

What are the symptoms?

  • Painful menstrual cramps that may go into the abdomen (stomach) or lower back
  • Pain during or after sex
  • Diarrhea or constipation during a menstrual period
  • Fatigue or low-energy
  • Heavy or irregular periods
  • Pain with urination or bowel movements during a menstrual period
  • Spotting or bleeding between menstrual periods

Risks and Causes

While doctors don’t know the exact cause of Endometriosis, theories for risks include:

  • Endometrial tissues traveling through blood or lymphatic systems and ending up in other places in the body
  • Endometrial cells attaching to other places in the body after surgeries like C-sections or a hysterectomy
  • Genes
  • Endometrial tissue going into the fallopian tubes instead of out of the body during menstruation
  • Other cells becoming endometrial cells and growing out of the endometrium
  • Early menstruation
  • Heavy periods lasting longer than 7 days
  • Periods lasting less than 27 days on average 

What can lower these risks? Well, studies suggest that pregnancy and breastfeeding, getting your period after the age of 14, and/or eating citrus fruits can lower the risk of endometriosis.

Treatments

Doctors base your treatment options on your age, the severity of symptoms/disease, and whether or not you want kids. For pain, treatments include:

  • Hormone Therapy: Can be administered through a pill, shot/injection, or nasal spray. It stops the ovaries from producing hormones, usually preventing ovulation. While it doesn’t make present scarring go away, it does prevent new ones from appearing.
  • Pain Medication: The most common prescription for this is nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). Overall, medication can range from over-the-counter to strong, prescribed pain relievers.
  • Surgical Treatments: This is a short-term, but very effective treatment for pain. The doctor will examine and possibly remove areas with growths or endometriosis patches. 

For infertility caused by endometriosis:

  • Laparoscopy: The doctors will remove or vaporize growths to improve infertility.
  • IVF: Where an egg is fertilized by a sperm outside of the body after the person with eggs takes hormones to invoke “superovulation.” 

In a study done on 500 women, the risk of developing Endometriosis lowered with high consumption of fruits and greens. The opposite was true when red meat was consumed more, with the risk rising. So consider eating more citrus fruits/fruits in general, and more green vegetables!

Holistic Remedies

If you’re interested in a holistic approach, try drinking green tea or eating flax seeds to treat pain. You can also try supplements like beta-carotene or essential fatty acids!

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Please note, Aydan can’t give medical advice.

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