Endometriosis is the growth of the endometrium (the inner epithelium from the uterine cavity) into other organs or tissues.
Internal endometriosis of the uterus - what is it?
There are internal and external endometriosis, internal endometriosis - a lesion of the body of the uterus and the inner part of its tubes, with external affect other organs - the ovaries, cervix and vagina, abdominal cavity.
Classification of internal endometriosis
There are 4 degrees of internal endometriosis ( adenomyosis ):
- internal endometriosis of the 1st degree, in which all sites of the mucosa to the myometrium are affected, only one focus of endometriosis is present;
- internal endometriosis of the 2nd degree, in which the lesion is observed up to the middle of the myometrium, there are several small foci;
- internal endometriosis of the 3rd degree, in which the endometrium is afflicted to the serous layer;
- internal endometriosis of the 4th degree, in which all the walls of the uterus, including the parietal peritoneum, are affected.
Causes of endometriosis
Until the end of the cause of endometriosis not established. But any surgical interventions on the uterus (abortions, cesarean section, scraping of the uterus cavity, operations on the uterus) can provoke the ingestion of the endometrium into the tissues of the uterus and cause intrauterine endometriosis. Other possible causes are heredity, immune or hormonal disorders in women (for example, an excess of estrogens with a shortage of progesterone).
Internal endometriosis - symptoms
One of the main symptoms of endometriosis is lower abdominal pain of varying intensity, which is often associated with the onset of menstruation. Pains are possible and during intercourse, but they can be symptoms of other diseases in the small pelvis, including inflammatory ones.
Possible brown discharge before or after menstruation, dysfunctional uterine bleeding (bleeding possible in the middle of the menstrual cycle). Infertility remains one of the main symptoms of endometriosis, although external, rather than internal, endometriosis of the uterus excludes pregnancy. But the onset of pregnancy can cause the reverse development of internal endometriosis, up to its complete cure.
Diagnosis of endometriosis
It is rare to suspect endometriosis only with gynecological examination - the round shape of the uterus and its increase in size do not yet establish a diagnosis. But with a dynamic ultrasound examination, especially a vaginal sensor, it is possible to identify foci of adenomyosis or to detect internal diffuse endometriosis with uniform damage to the uterus by the process. The focal form of internal endometriosis is less common than the diffuse form and should be differentiated with fresh foci of fibroids. For more accurate diagnosis, a blood test for the CA-125 endometriosis marker is used.
Internal endometriosis - treatment
There are many views on how and how to treat internal endometriosis, but the methods of treatment are divided into conservative, surgical (surgical treatment) and combined. If a woman is diagnosed with internal endometriosis of 1 degree, then his treatment is conservative and consists of prolonged hormone therapy. Apply hormonal contraceptives - combined estrogen-gestagenic drugs (Marvelon, Non-ovolon, suppressing ovulation), gestagenic drugs (Norkolut, Dyufaston, Utrozhestan, including often use the IUD with the Mirren's gestagens).
To treat endometriosis appoint antigonadotropic drugs, such as Danol, Danazol or Danogen, which suppress the secretion of sex hormones and reduce the sensitivity of receptors to them.
If internal endometriosis of grade 2 is diagnosed, then its treatment does not differ from endometriosis of 1 degree. And with endometriosis 3 and 4 degrees, as well as with diffuse endometriosis, surgical intervention can be used for treatment.
Treatment of internal endometriosis with folk remedies is an application in combination with basic phytotherapy - infusions of plantain, nettle, St. John's wort, but they can not become a substitute for medicines.