BY ARNA J. MORGAN, Contributor
Dear Readers:
C.S.W. is a female from Spanish Town, St. Catherine, who has been diagnosed with Endometriosis. She was treated with six months of Depo Provera injections but also experienced a lot of pain in her breasts, under her arms and in her back. C.S.W. asks Lifeline if the discomfort she feels could be related to Endometriosis. She has had two normal breast mammograms.
Endometriosis is a condition which occurs when the endometrial tissues which line the uterine cavity are found to be growing in other parts of the body. Most commonly, this extra uterine tissue growth is confined to other areas within the pelvic cavity, but endometrial tissues have been known to be located as far a distant from the womb as the arm pits.
These Endometrial cells, located outside the uterus, continue to function as if they were still normally placed within the womb. These tissues follow the regular monthly cycle, become engaged with blood, and bleed during the menstrual period, wherever they are located. As the blood is unable to leave the body via its normal exit, the vagina, inflammation occurs in the tissues in contact with the blood causing cysts to form along with painful tissue adhesions where the tissues stick together in an abnormal fashion.
Symptoms of endometriosis include severe abdominal pain before and during menstruation, severe low back pain, heavy periods and often, nausea and vomiting. As the disease develops, sexual intercourse may also become quite painful. The abnormal site of bleeding and tissue inflammation can ultimately lead to scarring of the fallopian tubes and blockages of these tubes, so infertility is a major complication of endometriosis and is found in up to 40 per cent of women with this disease.
The disease can be controlled with medication and some of the complications such as adhesions can be reversed with surgical techniques.
If Endometriosis is suspected by the physician, it can be confirmed later by abdominal laparoscope where a lighted tube (scope) is introduced via an incision just below the navel and the contents of the pelvis viewed directly.
The symptoms that C.S.W. describes could be related to the endometrial disorder but she should have this checked with further investigative procedures and she may need to see a Gynecologist.
Treatment is aimed at preventing pain, preventing progression of the disease, and, if possible, retaining fertility.
Drug therapy with Depo Proveia, Danocrine (Danazol) and Lupron seek to stop ovulation for a period of time, preventing the periods and preventing further "chocolate" (blood filled) cysts from forming and causing adhesions.
The Oral Contraceptive Pills are also used as treatment, taken continuously for up to six months. The use of these various hormones are associated with some side effects, most commonly nausea, vomiting, irregular vaginal bleeding and headaches. Danocrine is also associated with abnormal hair growth and even a deepening of the voice. Lupron can cause a loss of bone density and joint pains. Both Danocrine and Lupron are quite expensive to use.
In some severe cases where pain is intractable, if a woman has completed her child bearing, she might remove the uterus and ovaries to totally eradicate this disease from her body.
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