It is estimated that worldwide, the endometriosis affects about 180 million women, more than 7 million in Brazil alone. The disease happens when the endometrium, the mucosa that lines the inner wall of the uterus, grows in other regions of the body.
Pain, which compromises a woman’s quality of life, is one of the most common symptoms of endometriosis. In addition, difficulty getting pregnant can also happen in people with the disease.
The main symptoms are: intense cramps during the menstrual period, chronic pelvic pain, pain during sexual intercourse, intestinal and urinary changes during menstruation, in addition to infertility.
The singer anita stated, in a post on Twitter, that he was diagnosed with endometriosis after a series of tests. “Research, guys. Endometriosis is very common among women. It has several side effects, in each body in a way. They can extend to the bladder and cause excruciating pain when urinating. There are several treatments. Mine will have to be surgery,” said the singer.
How Endometriosis is Diagnosed and Treated
According to studies, when the diagnosis of endometriosis is made, it is estimated that the disease has been manifesting itself for 3 to 12 years.
“Up to 20% of women may be asymptomatic. What delays the diagnosis is the normalization of pain, which is often confused with intestinal constipation, muscle and infectious changes”, says gynecologist Márcia Mendonça, coordinator of the multidisciplinary team of endometriosis at the Hospital das Clínicas of the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG). ).
In the face of suspicion, clinical gynecological examination is the first step towards diagnosis, which can be confirmed by laboratory and imaging tests.
In clinical treatment, analgesics, contraceptives and hormone IUD (intrauterine device) may be indicated to stop menstruation and control symptoms. If there is no adequate response from the body or there are nodules in the affected areas, surgery should be considered as an alternative.
Surgical treatment is done with the removal of lesions or the entire uterus (when there is no intention of becoming pregnant). “The most important thing is the individualization of the treatment, taking into account the patient’s age and the desire or not to become pregnant”, says the doctor.
Physiotherapy helps relieve pain
THE physiotherapy pelvic floor can act directly in relieving the pain caused by endometriosis. The origin of these pains comes from the adhesions that endometriosis itself causes. The problem affects the movement of the thin layers of skin that surround the muscle, called fascia, of fluid and muscles.
According to physical therapist Elaine Moura, from the University Hospital of the Federal University of Juiz de Fora (UFJF), the less movement these structures have, the more pain women will feel, in addition to feeling swollen, because these fluids do not move in a normal way. correct, causing abdominal swelling and affecting self-esteem.
“Pelvic physiotherapy helps to release structures that are with little movement, relieving pain and, consequently, reducing abdominal swelling”, says the specialist.
Infertility
A woman’s menstruation is a preparatory cycle for pregnancy. When there is endometriosis, this period is interrupted or disturbed. While the condition impairs fertility, it usually doesn’t completely prevent conception — like sterility.
Infertility is a difficulty getting pregnant after 12 months of trying. A survey by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists found that for every ten women who are infertile, four of them have endometriosis.
According to Julio Cesar Rosa e Silva, president of the specialized commission on endometriosis of the Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations (Febrasgo), endometriosis “has been observed in 5% to 10% of patients undergoing gynecological surgeries, 20% to 50 % of women with infertility, difficulty getting pregnant, and 60% to 70% of those with chronic pelvic pain”.
(With information from Ingrid Oliveira, from CNN)
Source: CNN Brasil
