Premenstrual and Menstrual Pain

The most common indicator that a woman or young girl might have endometriosis is the menstrual pain associated with it. This pain is far worse than the kind of pain commonly experienced by females during menstruation cycles. To make matters worse, the pain often arrives before the period even starts. It continues through the duration of the period and can include pain in the abdomen, lower back and pelvis.

The pain that is caused in these areas is due to the endometrial tissue on the outside of the uterus. During the time of the month during menstruation, this tissue bleeds. This causes inflammation and eventual scarring in the reproductive organs in the surrounding areas of the female body.

Along with the pain before and during menstruation, abnormally heavy bleeding can occur. This is because of the normal levels of menstrual bleeding coupled with the abnormal bleeding coming from the endometrial tissue.

Not much about the severity of the condition can be told by the intensity of the pain. Some females with severe cases of endometriosis might suffer less or no pain at all when compared to those with mild cases of endometriosis.

Inability to Conceive

The effects of this condition can interrupt the proper functioning of the uterus when it comes to attempting to conceive. In fact, most diagnoses of endometriosis occur after women show up at their doctor’s office to complain about problems conceiving. When a couple of tests are done, endometriosis is many times the cause of it.

The inability to conceive is due to the abnormal growths and scarring outside of the uterus that also effect the ovaries and other parts of the female reproductive organs. The organs of the female reproductive system are interconnected.

Since endometriosis involves the female sex organs, complaints of painful sexual intercourse are common. This pain is not only present during intercourse, but afterwards as well because the inflamed and often bleeding tissue is aggravated due to the friction associated with sexual activity.

Painful Bowel Movements and Urination

The growth of the endometrial tissue can reach areas close to and including the bowels and bladder as well. Since these organs are quite close to the female reproductive organs, this is understandable. Painful bowel movements and painful urination are significant problems for endometriosis sufferers, especially during menstruation.

How Can It Be Treated?

It’s imperative to see Dr. Sherry Thomas as soon as possible if you experience any of these symptoms. Although it could be endometriosis, it might also be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) that might be causing the painful discomfort. Much of the pain that is associated with endometriosis can be likened to the kind that is felt during an IBS episode. Dr. Sherry Thomas’s medical facility is located in Agoura Hills. Contact her office today to schedule your appointment.

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For many women, fully understanding the condition they may have requires a proper diagnosis from a trained, experienced expert in the field of women’s health. Dr. Sherry Thomas is that professional.  At her office in Agoura Hills, Dr. Sherry can help you understand endometriosis as well as offer treatment options. To schedule your appointment, contact Dr. Sherry Thomas’s office today.

Causes and Symptoms

Endometriosis is caused when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) starts growing outside the uterus in other locations, such as on the ovaries or on the outside of the uterus. The endometrial tissue is thought to get into the abdomen during menstruation by retrograde shedding of uterine lining up the Fallopian tubes instead of down the vagina. Since all women presumably experience some retrograde menstruation but only some women develop endometriosis, there is clearly some other factor at work.

Endometriosis tends to occur in families, suggesting a genetic factor. It also seems to occur in association with a predisposition to autoimmune diseases and allergies, suggesting an immune malfunction may play a role as well.

The misplaced endometrial tissue reacts to the body’s hormones just like the endometrial tissue growing inside the uterus. Each month the tissue grows in response to hormones and then sheds and bleeds during menstruation. This process can cause pain and inflammation of organs and tissues near the stray endometrial tissue.

The stray endometrial tissues can also block the Fallopian tubes, cause scar tissue and adhesions, cause ovarian cysts to form, and can disrupt normal function of the bladder and intestines.

The most common symptom is severe, cramping abdominal pain during menstruation. Some women experience digestive upset during menstruation such as diarrhea or bloating; others experience painful urination during menstruation. If scar tissue and adhesions develop, chronic deep pelvic pain can occur.

Treatment

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, treatment can reduce symptoms and improve quality of life. The most effective treatment method is continuous birth control pills. When active hormonal birth control pills are taken year-round with no breaks, menstruation simply does not occur, and therefore all endometriosis symptoms related to menstruation stop as well. An alternative is placement of a hormonal IUD, which reduces the occurrence and intensity of menstruation.

These types of hormonal treatments obviously cannot be used when a woman is trying to get pregnant. They also only affect symptoms related to menstruation- women who have developed chronic pain due to adhesions or scar tissue will continue to experience that type of pain. Surgery to remove the adhesions, scar tissue and any endometrial tissue that can be located can often cure these types of chronic symptoms.

Women with endometriosis who wish to get pregnant may be prescribed a short course of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. This drug will temporarily induce menopause, which may cause regression of endometrial tissues. After stopping the drug, normal menstrual cycles will resume and the chances of conceiving will increase. Some women may require surgery to remove endometrial tissues blocking the Fallopian tubes or interfering with ovulation before conception can occur.

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