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Chronic abdominal pain may indicate endometriosis
Endometriosis is considered to be one of the most common gynecological problems. Despite the severe pain, the disease often remains undetected for a long time. In many cases it leads to infertility. The nationwide day of endometriosis on September 29 is intended to draw attention to the still unknown disease.
One of the most common gynecological problems
Endometriosis is among health experts as one of the most common but also the most difficult to diagnose gynecological disorders. "It is estimated that 7-15% of women of adult-sex age suffer from endometriosis. That's about 2-6 million women in Germany. More than 30,000 women suffer from endometriosis every year, "writes the Endometriosis Association of Germany on its website. Other estimates assume 40,000 new cases per year. The nationwide day of endometriosis on September 29 is intended to draw attention to the still unknown disease.
Severe regular and abdominal pain can be a sign of endometriosis. This disease is among the most common causes of infertility. (Image: inesbazdar / fotolia.com) Common cause of infertility
Endometriosis is a chronic but benign condition that can affect women from the onset of menstruation to menopause, but also afterwards.
In this case, tissue, similar to the endometrium of the uterus, occurs in the abdomen and settles there on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestine, bladder or peritoneum.
In rare cases, the endometriosis association also affects other organs, such as the lungs. These endometrial implants are, in most cases, influenced by the hormones of the menstrual cycle. This allows the herd to grow and bleed cyclically.
The consequences of this are inflammatory reactions, the formation of cysts and the development of scarring and adhesions. In addition, in some cases, the same or similar findings may occur without the influence of hormones.
The course of the disease varies from case to case. The disease is one of the most common causes of infertility.
Strong menstrual pain
According to experts, it takes an average of eight to twelve years for doctors to correctly interpret the often diffuse symptoms of their patients.
Because the growths of the uterine tissue lead to adhesions and adhesions on many organs and even nerves.
Mainly the abdominal and pelvic area affected - in principle, however, the endometrium can grow anywhere in the body.
The typical symptoms of the disease include severe menstrual pain, chronic pelvic pain and pain during intercourse.
In addition, if endometriosis occurs in the bladder or bowel, it is more likely to have blood in the urine, blood in the stool, or urinary symptoms.
In many cases, painful cysts are also formed. Some women also experience nonspecific symptoms such as back pain, headache, dizziness and stomach problems.
Endometriosis is quickly dismissed as a "women's problem"
The fact that so much time passes between the onset of the first symptoms and the diagnosis also depends on the low awareness of the disease.
Most women have never heard of endometriosis before their diagnosis and have often not been taken seriously by their environment and their doctors for years.
"Endometriosis is an invisible disease, but not imaginary," said Sabine Steiner, CEO of Endometriosis Association Germany.
According to her, women with endometriosis are socially often marginalized. Because the disease is not superficially seen, endometriosis is quickly dismissed as a "women's problem".
(Not only) On the occasion of the nationwide day of endometriosis on September 29, it should be noted that abdominal pain is not part of "womanhood".
If girls and women do not grow up with this mistaken belief, then they can name their pain much easier and faster.
Positive experiences with alternative healing methods
The pain caused by endometriosis is often treated with analgesics, but such drugs do not affect the course of the disease itself.
In many cases, ultimately only the surgery remains, especially if the endometriosis prevents a desire for children. But even with successful surgery, the pain can have become chronic over the many years the disease was left untreated.
In addition to conventional medical treatment methods, alternative treatment methods are also conceivable, especially after surgery.
The focus is on the goals of "reducing symptoms, reducing pain and physically or mentally restoring or strengthening the well-being of women," writes the Endometriosis Association Germany on its website.
According to the association, there are already positive experiences with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), homeopathy and herbal medicine (phytotherapy).
The disease can also be positively influenced by a sensible change in diet, the reduction of stress and moderate exercise. (Ad)