Menstrual pain.. who says it’s normal! Did you know that if your menstrual pain gradually worsens, it could be a warning sign of “Endometriosis”, a condition that, although not as serious as cancer, if left untreated properly, can affect your daily life and cause other related diseases.
What is Endometriosis?
“Endometriosis” or Endometriosis is a condition where the endometrial tissue grows outside the normal uterine cavity. Normally, the endometrial lining sheds during the menstrual cycle. Most patients visit the doctor due to abdominal pain during menstruation that gradually worsens.
Retrograde menstruation… the cause of the disease
The currently accepted theory of endometriosis is retrograde menstruation, where menstrual blood flows backward into the abdominal cavity, particularly the pelvic area, stimulated by hormones and gradually growing. For example, endometriosis on the ovaries can cause chocolate cysts.
Endometriosis can occur in any part of the body, not just inside the uterine muscle but also outside the uterus, such as the ovaries, lungs, liver, kidneys, brain, etc., causing abnormalities and damage to those organs.
Check now! What symptoms indicate a risk of endometriosis
“60 – 70 percent of patients visit doctors with abdominal pain, and 30 – 40 percent show no symptoms, but all women can observe abnormalities in their bodies” as follows:
Abdominal pain, menstrual pain more severe than usual, worsening each cycle, such as severe pain requiring painkillers or causing absence from work.
- Irregular menstruation
- Pain inside the vagina during sexual intercourse
- Infertility
- Abdominal pain resembling the urge to defecate during every menstruation
- Palpable lumps in the body, especially in the lower abdominal area
Accurate diagnosis by specialists at Phyathai 2 Hospital
Initial diagnosis of endometriosis mainly involves taking the patient’s history. If symptoms align with endometriosis, medication is used and symptom response is monitored. The medication focuses on pain relief and preventing the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus.
Additionally, diagnosis can be made by biopsy through laparoscopic surgery or ultrasound to detect abnormalities, depending on each patient’s symptoms. The doctor will decide the diagnostic and treatment approach in detail.
Reduce pain, reduce size, treat lesions
“This disease is caused by female hormones. As long as menstruation continues, there is a chance of having this disease.”
Therefore, the key to treating endometriosis is that if a patient presents with abdominal pain, the first step is to provide pain relief medication. Then, the doctor will examine the lesions or diseases caused by endometriosis to find specific treatment methods and continuously monitor the patient’s response to treatment.
Which patients need surgical treatment?
For some patients who do not respond to medication, still have pain, and have large lumps over 3 centimeters, as well as those with lesions that cannot be distinguished from cancer or those with infertility caused by endometriosis, surgery is necessary. There are two surgical methods:
- Standard surgery or open abdominal surgery
- Laparoscopic surgery or minimally invasive surgery
Dr. Aranya Yantapan, a laparoscopic surgery specialist at the Obstetrics Clinic, Phyathai 2 Hospital, further explains that laparoscopic surgery is the most recommended method because it uses small instruments, causes minimal scarring, and provides a clear internal view. This allows the doctor to operate precisely, avoiding injury to other organs, which can cause more adhesions. If stimulated by female hormones, endometriosis may recur, increasing the chance of repeat surgeries, including adhesiolysis.
Women with irregular menstruation or a family history of endometriosis should have health check-ups and consult a doctor early. Waiting to observe symptoms may be too late. Remember, 30-40 percent of cases show no symptoms. Therefore, all working-age women should have regular annual physical exams, especially lower abdominal ultrasounds, which can detect various abnormalities from simple cysts to malignant tumors.
“The disease can occur at any time, no need to wait until older. Women should not forget to have gynecological health check-ups before it’s too late.”
