10 questions to ask your doctor about endometriosis

This is an automatically translated article.

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that should have grown in the uterus is found in other parts of the body. These tissues may respond to or function differently from those developed in the uterus. Most cases of endometriosis are found in the pelvis.
Here are the 10 most frequently asked questions about endometriosis:

1. What causes endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue grows in a different location. Although these tissues are outside the uterus, it still functions as normal during the menstrual cycle, i.e. at the end of the menstrual period, these tissues break down and bleed. However, blood from this tissue has no outlet, so the surrounding areas are prone to inflammation or swelling, leading to scar tissue and damage. The most common site for endometriosis is on the ovaries. Endometriosis reduces the chances of getting pregnant.

2. What can I do to manage endometriosis symptoms?

To control the symptoms of endometriosis, patients should maintain a reasonable diet such as eating lots of green vegetables and fruits, reducing the amount of fat in red meat such as beef to control estrogen levels. in the body. Excess estrogen can cause endometrial tissue to grow. Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, walnuts are very good for the body in controlling the harmful effects of endometriosis. Besides, the use of caffeine and alcohol in patients is also a risk of making endometriosis develop more serious.
People with endometriosis should maintain a suitable exercise regimen. Being active during exercise promotes better blood flow from the heart to other parts of the body and produces less estrogen, which can help improve endometriosis symptoms. supply over time.
Managing stress is also considered a way to manage endometriosis . Stress makes the condition worse and can cause more sore muscles. Well-known ways to manage stress such as yoga, meditation, or simply taking time to take care of yourself can help you minimize the symptoms of endometriosis.

3. Do I need medication?

In case the patient has no pain and the cyst is small, the doctor will prescribe the patient a medicine to help shrink the cyst. However, this drug can cause some side effects. In addition, pain relievers and estrogen-controlling medications are also used to treat endometriosis.

4. What are the side effects of drugs for endometriosis?

Drugs to shrink endometriosis cysts can have side effects in patients such as hot flashes, decreased bone density, and low sex drive. Therefore, patients who are planning to become pregnant should not take this drug.

5. Will endometriosis affect my sex life?

Common signs of endometriosis are pain in the lower abdomen, pain during sex. However, in a few cases the patient has no symptoms and is detected only on ultrasound or gynecological examination. Or, in the case of patients who are taking cyst reduction pills, there will be little or no desire to have sex.

6. How do birth control pills affect endometriosis?

Birth control pills can be used in the treatment of endometriosis, because the composition of the drug has hormonal control. However, it does not eliminate endometriosis.

7. Does endometriosis make childbirth more difficult?

Endometriosis is a fairly common disease for women, but its development leads to limited fertility of people with endometriosis. Although a patient can undergo surgical removal or other interventions to be able to have children, it still has effects on the patient such as changes in hormonal mechanisms, causing limitations in the immune system. immune system or may affect uterine tissue.

8. If I'm having trouble getting pregnant, can fertility treatments help?

People with endometriosis but still want to have children will have methods such as surgical removal of endometriosis tissue to facilitate sperm contact and fertilize the egg.
For patients who do not want to undergo surgery, an intrauterine insemination (IUI) can be performed by inserting sperm directly into the uterus. This method will probably be done with the use of medication to help stimulate the ovaries to produce more eggs to increase fertility. In addition, in vitro fertilization is also a widely applied treatment method. This method will increase the chances of pregnancy for women with endometriosis.

9. Can surgery stop the symptoms of endometriosis?

Surgery may be used by the doctor in case the patient has severe pain despite taking other supportive drugs, or in case the patient's cyst is larger than 1.5 inches. The surgical removal to avoid the rupture of the cyst will cause serious harm to the patient. Occasionally, the doctor may also perform a drain on the cyst. Removal of a cyst can relieve pain and prevent other cysts from growing. For patients who do not intend to have children, oophorectomy or hysterectomy may be indicated. In some cases, the doctor will use methods such as surgical removal of endometriosis tissue to allow sperm to contact and fertilize an egg.

10. How often do I need to see a doctor?

When your menstrual cycle is unusually painful, you should see your doctor for a checkup because it can be a sign of endometriosis. If the results confirm that you have endometriosis, work with your doctor to find the most effective treatment for your condition.
To help customers detect and treat gynecological diseases early, Vinmec International General Hospital has a basic gynecological examination and screening package, helping customers detect early inflammatory diseases and help treat Easy, inexpensive treatment. Screening detects gynecological cancer (cervical cancer) early even when there are no symptoms.
Basic gynecological examination and screening package for female customers, has no age limit and may have the following symptoms:
Abnormal vaginal bleeding Having menstrual problems: irregular menstrual cycle, irregular menstrual cycle Irregular vaginal discharge (smell, different color) Vaginal pain and itching Female clients have several risk factors such as poor personal hygiene, Unsafe sex, abortion,... Female customers have other symptoms such as: Abnormal vaginal discharge, itching, pain in the private area, abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.

Reference source: Webmd.com