endometriosis | Chronic disease that starts with menstrual cramps and gradually affects other organs | symptoms | Imp | FAMILY

endometriosis This is a pathology that has become increasingly important in recent years. Nowadays, more and more women complain of severe pain in the abdomen before the onset of menstruation or during this cycle. It is an inflammatory disease that can affect other organs of the body. There is no cure, but it is necessary that the patient has a good diagnosis in order to have adequate treatment.

We spoke to Andrea Ruiz, President of the Peruvian Association of Endometriosis and Adenomyosis Patients, who spoke to us about the real situation of many women with this disease, and about whom very little is said.

SOME PATIENTS PRESENT SYMPTOMS AND DO NOT GIVE THEIR DIAGNOSIS. WHY?

Ruiz says gynecologists are not properly trained in this disease and when a patient comes in with pain during or during her period, they consider it a normal symptom, as if she had dysmenorrhea or a gynecological problem; when in fact it is a separate, systemic pathology.

BUT HOW MUCH IS KNOWN ABOUT ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Ruiz notes that there are several theories about the cause of endometriosis. Initially, it was said that this occurs in women who have had retrograde menstruation (the inability to completely eliminate all endometrial tissue due to vaginal bleeding), but this is not entirely true, because. 90% of women have retrograde menstruation; So why do only 10% of women develop endometriosis?

Other studies say it’s a genetic problem, as patients who have first-degree relatives with endometriosis are 7 to 10 times more likely to get it. And according to research, this pathology comes from the factory; that is, since the embryo is formed, cells are implanted in the body, and as soon as it starts to generate more estrogen, this disease is activated and begins to manifest and develop in different parts of the body.

WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Endometriosis is an inflammatory disease, chronic, progressive and incurable. Systemically affects the body (affects other organs).

“There is a lot of concern because the longer the diagnosis is delayed, the patient may show more symptoms over the years and other organs may be involved. And this is because there is endometrial-like tissue that grows in other areas of the pelvis, causing a chain reaction throughout our body, ”he explains.

THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

Women begin with disabling pain during menstruation, which is often accompanied by lower back pain, others have diarrhea during menstruation or constipation before the start of the menstrual cycle; Gastrointestinal pain, manifested when visiting the toilet, urinary symptoms. Many girls experience migraines, numbness in the lower body, pain during intercourse, and heavy bleeding.

“Some people think they have an infection, but it is an inflammatory process that affects the bladder, urethra or kidneys,” he elaborates.

Is there a way to reduce this intense pain?

Multidisciplinary treatment is needed. First, they have a diagnosis that the doctor can listen to your symptoms, when they occur, how intense they are, how long they last, if they go away with any medication or habit change.

“It is important to have a correct imaging diagnosis in order to know which organs are affected, what degree of endometriosis, and thus know what treatment should be given depending on the case,” he says.

Ruiz says there are patients who can have endometriosis and can manage their symptoms very well with hormone therapy, but there are cases where other organs are affected and comprehensive monitoring is required, visits to a nutritionist, gastroenterologist, urologist, etc. . .

“Treatment is not only gynecological with hormones, but it is accompanied by nutrition, physical activity, good sleep hygiene, good stress management, because unfortunately endometriosis, being a systemic disease, greatly reduces the response of the immune system and makes the patient prone to developing other pathologies such as: fibromyalgia, thyroid, hyperthyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome, reflux … everything goes along the chain, ”he clarifies.

THE QUALITY OF LIFE

A patient who has these pain symptoms that do not improve with medication affects her mental and emotional health.

YOU MAY ALSO READ:

Sarcoma: This neoplasm is rare but very aggressive.

Diabetes: how can we prevent and treat this disease?

Did you know that if you don’t get enough sleep, it can affect your hormonal balance?