Internal endometriosis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Endometriosis is a disease characterized by the proliferation of tissue that is functionally identical with the endometrium. The foci of endometriosis are small formations of various sizes and shapes that are filled with mucus, blood and ciliated epithelium. As a rule, women aged 20 to 40 are exposed to the disease. In 70% of cases of the disease there is internal endometriosis.

Symptoms

• Pains in the pelvic area, which are usually intensified before and during menstruation.
• The menstrual cycle is shortened or lengthened.
• Change in menstrual flow (increase or decrease in their volume).
• Problems with conceiving a child.
• Appearance of bloody discharge in the intervals between menstruations.

All women should be aware of the fact that internal endometriosis may not manifest for quite some time. In such situations, most of them learn about the presence of pathology during a preventive examination with a gynecologist. In addition, this disease is characterized by a progressive and prolonged course, and the earlier it is detected, the more likely it is that the reproductive function will be restored.

Very often this disease is combined with endometriosis of other organs. And not necessarily sexual. For example (at stage 3 or 4 of the disease), endometriosis of the intestine can develop.

Diagnostics

Internal endometriosis of the uterus body is detected after the clinical picture of the disease has been determined, as well as by the results of additional studies (hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography), which must be performed on the 7th-9th day of the menstrual cycle.

To detect internal endometriosis, it is necessary to perform ultrasound of the small pelvis. It will show the presence of a cellular structure of the uterine wall, its rounded shape and diffusive thickening of the myometrium. If a node with a non-uniform structure is detected and without a clear contour of the capsule, then a "knotty endometriosis" is diagnosed.

Treatment

As a rule, in order to cure internal endometriosis, resort to a combination of medical and surgical methods. If the disease was found on time, then you can do with the medication.

The treatment of endometriosis with drugs is to take hormones for a long time. Their effect is based on the normalization of the ovaries and preventing the emergence of new foci of the disease. But this method will be effective in the event that the formation of cysts has not occurred. In addition, hormone therapy has many contraindications.

In the case of the formation of a cyst (or when treatment with drugs did not bring the desired results), surgical intervention is prescribed. Recently, laparoscopy is used - an operation performed through a small incision, which is done by a laser. After it is carried out, the patient must restore the cycle of menstruation by taking a course of medications and undergoing a course of physiotherapy. If the disease is severe (provided that the woman no longer plans to have children) perform removal of the uterus.