Endometriosis: what is it exactly?
In France, 10% of women suffer from endometriosis, a gynecological disease characterized by the (abnormal!) Presence of uterine tissue outside the uterus.
In endometriosis, uterine tissue (also known as endometrial tissue) proliferates in the ovaries, intestines, bladder, vagina, rectum … and this causes painful lesions, sometimes responsible for infertility. .
What are the causes of endometriosis? Although the disease has been known since Ancient Egypt (the first description dates from 1850 BC …), Science still does not precisely understand the mechanisms that lead to the appearance of endometriosis.
The most popular hypothesis is that which accuses the uterus of too brutal contractions during menstruation: this would lead to the appearance of “micro-cracks” in the wall of the uterus, therefore the implantation of endometrial cells outside. of the uterine cavity.
I have period pain: is it endometriosis?
First, there is no question of panicking at the slightest period pain! It is normal for periods to cause discomfort, fatigue and a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen. During puberty, more intense pain may appear, due to hormonal fluctuations. On the other hand, these symptoms do not “paralyze” daily life: we remain able to work, to walk, to speak …
Conversely, endometriosis is characterized by symptoms which truly “paralyze” daily life:
- Pain with stabbing sensations, with vomiting and / or fainting,
- Pain that does not give way to analgesic drugs (Doliprane …),
- Pain in the lower abdomen that persists outside of menstruation,
- Transit disorders: constipation, diarrhea, bloating, painful emissions of stool and urine … especially during menstruation,
- Painful intercourse (dyspareunia) even if you don’t have your period.
To know. Women who suffer from endometriosis can present with associated diseases: irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, hypothyroidism, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis …
And also. If endometriosis is not a 100% genetic disease, studies have shown that the sisters and daughters of women affected by the pathology have a 5-fold risk of suffering from it as well.
I (maybe) suffer from endometriosis: who to consult?
If you suspect endometriosis, quickly make an appointment with your gynecologist or algologist.
How is the disease diagnosed? In theory, the diagnosis of endometriosis is super-simple: the gynecologist carries out a clinical examination of the patient as well as a vaginal examination, and prescribes more detailed examinations (MRI and / or endovaginal ultrasound) in case of doubt. .
But in practice, it is more complicated: lesions and endometrial cysts are difficult to spot by a practitioner who is not a specialist in the disease. And the diagnostic wandering can turn out to be long … It should be noted, however, that the Endometriosis City Hospital Network (RESENDO) lists practitioners specializing in the disease in the Paris region, as well as associations throughout France.
And on the treatment side? The “classic” treatments for endometriosis are based on the prescription of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (to calm the pain) and hormonal treatments (intended to artificially induce menopause, which “stops” the disease). In the most severe cases, surgery may be indicated.
Sources:
Relieve endometriosis without drugs, Stéphanie Mezerai and Sophie Pensa, ed. Leduc.S