Many diseases don’t require a surgery for diagnosis. Endometriosis is the exception to the rule. If you’ve been diagnosed with this disease, you probably went through a long process of elimination as your doctor struggled to find the reason for your medical problems. Whether you were experiencing pain and discomfort or having problems conceiving a child, your quest for answers no doubt ultimately ended in a laparoscopy.
So what happens next? You know you have endometriosis. Your doctor has probably already suggested a course of action or is closely monitoring you. Aside from serious issues related to the disease such as infertility, there is the matter of pain and discomfort. For some women, it’s minimal. For others, it is debilitating. How can you find relief from the pain?
The type of pain treatment you need depends on the severity of your symptoms. If you are only suffering minimal pelvic pain, you may be able to take an anti-inflammatory drug to sate the pain. Doctors often recommend analgesics, or oral contraceptives.
GnRh analogs help relieve the pain related to endometriosis. These drugs come in the form of nasal spray or injections. They provide pain relief, but it’s important to keep in mind, like many of the pain relievers, it does not increase a woman’s chances of getting pregnant. These types of drugs simply keep the pituitary gland from producing gonadotropin. This means that your ovary won’t produce estrogen. Most patients who take these drugs experience relief of pain for about five years. After that point, the majority of women experience a recurrence of symptoms and pain.
Oral contraceptives, otherwise referred to as birth control pills can also help a woman suffering from endometriosis find relief from pain. These pills can help limit growth of problematic tissue from growing, but GnRH agonists and Danazol have been found to work better in treating more serious forms of endometriosis when pain is more pronounced. For mild pain, oral contraceptives are often the best option since they carry very few side effects.
Another effective pain treatment for endometriosis is via progestins. Studies have shown that progestin treatment which stops endometrial tissue from growing has been effective in relieving pain in the majority of women. In fact, most studies find it to be 80% effective. Some side effects to this drug include bleeding between menstrual cycles, retention of fluid, nausea, and depression. Another drug called Danazol has similar benefits. It can cause weight gain, cramps, hot flashes, or depression.
Studies show that medicinal treatments can be quite effective in treating the pain related to endometriosis. About 90% of women feel an improvement after beginning to take medicine for their pain. It is important to keep in mind, however, that many of these medications carry side effects. Talking with your doctor about the benefits and risks of different medications will enable you to make the most informed decision for your particular situation. If medication does not help alleviate your symptoms, your doctor may want to discuss surgical intervention.
To discover more about Endometriosis symptoms and what you can do to reduce them please take a look at Treating Your Endometriosis for more information.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Symptoms and Pains Endometriosis Versus Ovarian Cancer
The symptoms of endometriosis and ovarian cancer symptoms have some overlap, which is why some women with endometriosis worry about the risk of developing ovarian cancer. But before you jump to conclusions lets take a look at the symptoms of endometriosis versus ovarian cancer.
During your monthly period, your uterine wall is shed, and appears as menstrual fluid. This is actually a remnant of the endometrium, a layer of muscle and blood designed to support an embryo. If the egg your body releases every month is not fertilized, hormones signal your uterus to shed the uterine lining.
For endometriosis sufferers, endometrial tissue similar to the uterus lining is found in areas outside of the uterus. This migrating endometrial tissue adheres to surrounding organs, causing inflammation and scar tissue to form, and resulting in you feeling severe pain, usually in the run up to and during your menstrual cycle.
This rogue endometrial tissue not only effects the organs found in the pelvic cavity, but also can migrate and attach itself to the bladder, bowel, intestines and colon. In rare cases endometrial lesions have been found in the lungs, spine, and brain and on the skin.
Endometriosis, however, is not cancer.
Ovarian cancer, on the other hand, entails the formation of cysts on your ovaries. These cysts are often benign, and can be removed by surgery if they are detected early.
However, if they start moving to other parts of the body, ovarian cancer can become malignant.
Fluctuations or abnormalities in hormonal levels in your body most likely cause ovarian cancer and encourage endometriosis symptoms to worsen. According to studies, women with endometriosis are also more likely to develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime.
So, what are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Severe, disabling pain in the abdominal area that gets worse over time can be the first sign of endometriosis.
Other symptoms will include, but are not limited to:VomitingNauseaabnormal or irregular menstrual cycles, including bleeding or spotting in between periodspainful urinationpainful bowel movementspainful sexual intercourseheavy menstrual periodsback pain during menstruationinfertility or difficulty conceiving.
Compare these to the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Like endometriosis, women with ovarian cancer will experience pain, although this will manifest at first as a sense of heaviness in the pelvic area.
Other signs of ovarian cancer will include:vaginal bleedingabnormal or irregular menstrual cyclesprogressive but unexplainable back
painincreased weight gain around the abdomeninexplicable weight gain or lossvomitingnauseabloody stoolloss of appetiteincreased
urinationexcessive or increased hair growthincreased fluids lining the lungssometimes even positive readings on pregnancy tests even if the affected woman is not pregnant.
Because the two illnesses are closely linked, the symptoms of endometriosis versus ovarian cancer can overlap. If you suspect that you have endometriosis or ovarian cancer, consult with your physician immediately.
If you’ve not already done so, sign up for the free endometriosis newsletter that shares other proven methods to help women combat endometriosis at Treating Your Endometriosis. You’ll also find more about the different possible complications such as endometriosis versus ovarian cancer and how get diagnosed.
During your monthly period, your uterine wall is shed, and appears as menstrual fluid. This is actually a remnant of the endometrium, a layer of muscle and blood designed to support an embryo. If the egg your body releases every month is not fertilized, hormones signal your uterus to shed the uterine lining.
For endometriosis sufferers, endometrial tissue similar to the uterus lining is found in areas outside of the uterus. This migrating endometrial tissue adheres to surrounding organs, causing inflammation and scar tissue to form, and resulting in you feeling severe pain, usually in the run up to and during your menstrual cycle.
This rogue endometrial tissue not only effects the organs found in the pelvic cavity, but also can migrate and attach itself to the bladder, bowel, intestines and colon. In rare cases endometrial lesions have been found in the lungs, spine, and brain and on the skin.
Endometriosis, however, is not cancer.
Ovarian cancer, on the other hand, entails the formation of cysts on your ovaries. These cysts are often benign, and can be removed by surgery if they are detected early.
However, if they start moving to other parts of the body, ovarian cancer can become malignant.
Fluctuations or abnormalities in hormonal levels in your body most likely cause ovarian cancer and encourage endometriosis symptoms to worsen. According to studies, women with endometriosis are also more likely to develop ovarian cancer in their lifetime.
So, what are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Severe, disabling pain in the abdominal area that gets worse over time can be the first sign of endometriosis.
Other symptoms will include, but are not limited to:VomitingNauseaabnormal or irregular menstrual cycles, including bleeding or spotting in between periodspainful urinationpainful bowel movementspainful sexual intercourseheavy menstrual periodsback pain during menstruationinfertility or difficulty conceiving.
Compare these to the symptoms of ovarian cancer. Like endometriosis, women with ovarian cancer will experience pain, although this will manifest at first as a sense of heaviness in the pelvic area.
Other signs of ovarian cancer will include:vaginal bleedingabnormal or irregular menstrual cyclesprogressive but unexplainable back
painincreased weight gain around the abdomeninexplicable weight gain or lossvomitingnauseabloody stoolloss of appetiteincreased
urinationexcessive or increased hair growthincreased fluids lining the lungssometimes even positive readings on pregnancy tests even if the affected woman is not pregnant.
Because the two illnesses are closely linked, the symptoms of endometriosis versus ovarian cancer can overlap. If you suspect that you have endometriosis or ovarian cancer, consult with your physician immediately.
If you’ve not already done so, sign up for the free endometriosis newsletter that shares other proven methods to help women combat endometriosis at Treating Your Endometriosis. You’ll also find more about the different possible complications such as endometriosis versus ovarian cancer and how get diagnosed.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Is Preventing Endometriosis Symptoms Possible?
Endometriosis is a common gynecological disorder, which affects around 15% of all women. The symptoms are infertility, pelvic pain, painful intercourse, heavy periods, constipation and diarrhea and back pain. Due to the nature of the symptoms endometriosis threatens both the psychological and physical health of sufferers and finding ways of preventing endometriosis symptoms is a key goal for many women.
There are four stages of endometriosis:
Stage 1 – minimal (surface endometriosis and filmy adhesions)
Stage 2 – mild (surface and deep endometriosis, plus filmy adhesions)
Stage 3 – moderate (surface and deep endometriosis, filmy and thick adhesions)
Stage 4 – severe (surface and deep endometriosis, thick adhesions)
Although, at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much difference between these four stages it is the size and density of areas effected that determine which stage the endometriosis has reached.
Because the symptoms mimic a number of other conditions, endometriosis is one of the most mis-diagnosed conditions. Some women suffer for years from unexplained gynecological problems before an endometriosis diagnosis is given.
The reason for the delay in diagnosis and the mis-diagnosis is because the only sure-fire way to accurately diagnose endometriosis is by performing exploratory surgery and looking.
There are a number of ways that you help yourself to ease the symptoms of endometriosis.
1. Taking an NSAID can help with reducing the inflammation caused by endometriosis and also alleviate the associated pain. Although avoid drugs which contain codeine as these can worsen endometriosis symptoms.
2. Take warm baths can help to ease the pain by increasing blood flow to the abdomen.
3. Put a heating pad or a hot water bottle on the abdomen. Let it stay
there until the pain subsides.
4. Supplements can be useful in easing pain. Oil of Evening primrose has proven effective for both endometriosis and PMS sufferers.
5. Ask your doctor which prescription pain relief drugs you can take. Make sure that you are not allergic to these. Also, if you do not want to get pregnant ask about hormonal treatment to see if controlling your estrogen levels will help to reduce pain.
6. Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that has had good results for endometriosis sufferers. Make sure you chose a practitioner that has dealt with endometriosis before.
7. Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming can help to ease symptoms. When we exercise our bodies release endorphins, or feel good chemicals, that can help prevent the pain felt from endometriosis symptoms.Don’t forget if you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for the free endometriosis newsletter that uncovers effective ways to help women combat endometriosis symptoms. You’ll also find more about preventing endometriosis.
There are four stages of endometriosis:
Stage 1 – minimal (surface endometriosis and filmy adhesions)
Stage 2 – mild (surface and deep endometriosis, plus filmy adhesions)
Stage 3 – moderate (surface and deep endometriosis, filmy and thick adhesions)
Stage 4 – severe (surface and deep endometriosis, thick adhesions)
Although, at first glance there doesn’t appear to be much difference between these four stages it is the size and density of areas effected that determine which stage the endometriosis has reached.
Because the symptoms mimic a number of other conditions, endometriosis is one of the most mis-diagnosed conditions. Some women suffer for years from unexplained gynecological problems before an endometriosis diagnosis is given.
The reason for the delay in diagnosis and the mis-diagnosis is because the only sure-fire way to accurately diagnose endometriosis is by performing exploratory surgery and looking.
There are a number of ways that you help yourself to ease the symptoms of endometriosis.
1. Taking an NSAID can help with reducing the inflammation caused by endometriosis and also alleviate the associated pain. Although avoid drugs which contain codeine as these can worsen endometriosis symptoms.
2. Take warm baths can help to ease the pain by increasing blood flow to the abdomen.
3. Put a heating pad or a hot water bottle on the abdomen. Let it stay
there until the pain subsides.
4. Supplements can be useful in easing pain. Oil of Evening primrose has proven effective for both endometriosis and PMS sufferers.
5. Ask your doctor which prescription pain relief drugs you can take. Make sure that you are not allergic to these. Also, if you do not want to get pregnant ask about hormonal treatment to see if controlling your estrogen levels will help to reduce pain.
6. Acupuncture is an alternative treatment that has had good results for endometriosis sufferers. Make sure you chose a practitioner that has dealt with endometriosis before.
7. Low impact exercises such as walking and swimming can help to ease symptoms. When we exercise our bodies release endorphins, or feel good chemicals, that can help prevent the pain felt from endometriosis symptoms.Don’t forget if you haven’t already done so, you can sign up for the free endometriosis newsletter that uncovers effective ways to help women combat endometriosis symptoms. You’ll also find more about preventing endometriosis.
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