The proliferation of endometrial tissue is commonly referred to in gynecology as endometriosis. The disease has several clinical forms, various localizations. What symptoms accompany the endometriosis of the uterus, what is this an accessible language - let's try to explain in the article.
Endometriosis of the uterus is what?
Endometriosis of the uterus is characterized by a pathological proliferation of endometrial glandular cells, which change their habitual localization. When diagnosing a disease, doctors can identify foci of growth in the rectum, the appendages of the uterus. In addition, these cells are absolutely similar in structure and capable of performing the same functions as the endometrium of the uterus.
The resulting growths (heterotopies) are able to undergo cyclical changes, which are endometrally exposed to the uterus every month. Due to the fact that these cellular structures are able to penetrate into neighboring tissues, forming spikes, endometriosis often accompanies other diseases of hormonal etiology:
- uterine myoma;
- hyperestrogenia.
Endometriosis of the body of the uterus
This type of pathology is often referred to as internal endometriosis of the uterus. This name is associated with the peculiarity of localization of the pathological process. With endometriosis of the body, penetration of endometrial cells into the muscular layer of the uterus (adenomyosis) is observed. Normally, between the myometrium (muscle layer) and the endometrium, there is a layer of cells that delimits these areas.
However, if the inflammation or infection occurs, the protective layer can be injured. As a result, endometrial cells enter the muscle layer during the next cyclic changes, forming a focus of inflammation. When examining a patient on ultrasound, the doctor notices the characteristic changes, structures that are different from the muscular - endometriosis of the uterus, the symptoms and treatment of which are described below.
Endometriosis of the cervix
This form of pathology is characterized by the growth of endometrial tissues, which gradually begin to migrate and affect the vaginal part of the cervix. Because of this feature, the disease has a second name - superficial endometriosis. The disease is asymptomatic, so it is often diagnosed with a preventive examination.
Endometriosis of the cervix of the uterus - what is it, doctors explain in an accessible language when diagnosing - is hormone-dependent, that is, it develops as a result of hormonal imbalance. This confirms the fact that the disease often occurs in women of reproductive age and regresses with the onset of the climacteric period. In this case, the endometrial cells are located directly on the surface of the mucous layer of the neck, without penetrating into the interior.
Endometriosis of the uterus - causes
It was not possible to determine precisely what causes endometriosis of the uterus, even after numerous studies. There are several theories that physicians adhere to when explaining the etiology of the disease:
- Theory of retrograde menstruation. According to this hypothesis, during one of the cycles of the monthly mucous membrane particles with blood flow penetrate into the fallopian tubes, the peritoneal cavity. Settling here and forming a hearth, they begin to function like an endometrium.
- The metaplastic hypothesis. According to this theory, there is no independent introduction of endometrial cells into other tissues, but only tissue stimulation to pathological changes (metaplasia).
In addition, it should be noted that the development of the disease is possible only under certain conditions. As provoking factors can act:
- decreased immune forces of the body;
- heredity;
- the wrong structure of the appendages , in which a part of the menstrual blood enters the peritoneum;
- increased content of estrogens in the blood;
- age 30-45 years;
- shortened menstrual cycle.
What is the danger of endometriosis of the uterus?
Diffuse endometriosis of the uterus represents a danger to the health of women, given possible complications. They are different in time of appearance and severity. Doctors immediately after detection begin to treat endometriosis of the uterus, the consequences of which for the body can be as follows:
- formation of ovarian cysts ;
- miscarriage of pregnancy ;
- infertility ;
- neurological disorders in the compression of nerve endings with an enlarged endometrium;
- anemia;
- transition to malignant formations (in 3% of cases).
Can I get pregnant with endometriosis of the uterus?
After examining the causes and figuring out what is dangerous for endometriosis of the uterus, what is this an accessible language, doctors are hurrying to reassure a woman experiencing a possible violation of the childbearing function. Experts argue that pregnancy with endometriosis of the uterus is possible. In case the lesions of the endometrium are not extensive, its cells do not go beyond the genital organ, and a woman can become a mother.
However, in the late stages of pathology, with neglected forms of impairment, endometriosis of the uterus (what is it in an accessible language - described above) can lead to infertility. It is caused by the adhesive process that accompanies the disease. Adhesions are formed during the degeneration of the tissue and interfere with the normal implantation process, without which pregnancy is impossible.
Endometriosis of the uterus - symptoms
Symptoms of endometriosis of the uterus in the early stages of pathology are absent. The first symptoms appear with a significant growth of the endometrium. In most cases, women notice severe pain in endometriosis of the uterus during menstruation, in the lower abdomen and in the lower back. They are associated with a difficult rejection of the endometrium. Talking about what is accompanied by endometriosis of the uterus, what is this an accessible language, gynecologists pay attention to the increase in the volume of menstrual flow. Among other symptoms of endometriosis it is necessary to distinguish:
- Pains in the pelvic region, not associated with menstruation.
- Dyspareunia - pain during sex.
- Menorrhagia - spotting brown in any day of the cycle.
- Violation of reproductive function.
Degrees of endometriosis of the uterus
Endometrial cells can penetrate the muscular layer and neighboring organs at different depths. Depending on this, in the diagnosis of the disease, doctors distinguish the following degrees of endometriosis:
- 1 degree - there are surface individual foci.
- 2 degree - endometriosis reaches the muscular layer, the number of foci increases.
- 3 degree - multiple foci are observed, endometrioid cysts are formed on one or both ovaries, there are spikes of the peritoneum.
- 4 degree - deep, multiple foci of endomeriosis, large endometrioid cysts on the ovaries are formed. Endometrium sprouts into the walls of the vagina, rectum.
How is uterine endometriosis diagnosed?
Before determining the endometriosis of the uterus, to make a diagnosis, doctors conduct numerous studies. The leading role in the diagnosis of the disease is ultrasound. In its conduct, doctors pay attention to the following signs of endometriosis:
- anechoic formations up to 6 mm in diameter;
- presence of a zone of increased echogenicity;
- uterus of increased size;
- the presence of cavities filled with liquid, knots of a dump shape.
Among other methods of diagnosing pathology, it is necessary to name:
- Hysteroscopy of the uterus - there are small holes in the form of burgundy points, the uterine cavity is enlarged, the basal layer has a relief, resembling the teeth of the crest.
- MRI - is highly informative, but requires the availability of expensive equipment and qualified specialists.
Endometriosis of the uterus - treatment
Before treating endometriosis of the uterus, doctors determine the exact location and size of the lesion. Depending on the severity of the disease, the pathology stage produces an individual therapy plan. The process of treatment begins with the appointment of medications, among which hormonal drugs. The treatment is aimed at normalizing the work of the gonads and excluding the development of new foci of endometriosis. In the absence of the effect of such therapy, an operation is prescribed.
How to treat endometriosis of the uterus medically?
Hormonal preparations for endometriosis are selected individually. All appointments are made solely by the doctor, determining the type of medication, dosage, frequency of administration and duration of therapy. In modern medicine, the following drugs are used to treat endometriosis:
- progestogens - Utrozhestan , Dyufaston;
- antigonadotropins - Danazol;
- agonists of gonadotropin-releasing hormone - Zoladex.
As part of the complex therapy of the disease, other groups of drugs can be used to facilitate the patient's well-being:
- anti-inflammatory - Ibuklin, Nurofen;
- antispasmodics - Papaverin, Drotaverin;
- sedatives - tincture of valerian, motherwort;
- immunomodulators - Immunomax, Immunal;
- preparations of iron - Ferretab, Sorbifer.
Endometriosis of the uterus - treatment with folk remedies
Folk treatment of endometriosis of the uterus is considered by doctors as an additional method of therapy. With its help, it will not be possible to completely eliminate the disease, but it is possible to alleviate the course of the disease and improve the state of health of a woman. To this end, use:
Infusion of borage uterus
Ingredients:
- Borovoe uterus - 1 tsp;
- water - 200 ml.
Preparation, application
- The grass is poured with boiling water.
- Insist 15 minutes.
- Take during meals half a glass 2-3 times a day.
Beet Juice
Ingredients:
- beet - 1 pc.
Preparation, application
- Beets are cleaned, grated.
- The resulting gruel is spread on gauze and squeezed out juice from it.
- Juice is infused for 4-5 hours, then gently drained without sediment.
- Take inside 100 ml 2-3 times a day, gradually increasing the dose.
Infusion of nettle
Ingredients:- leaves of nettle - 2 tbsp. spoons;
- water - 200 ml.
Preparation, application
- Stinging nettle, pour boiling water.
- It is heated in a water bath for 15 minutes.
- Add the resulting broth boiled water to 200 ml.
- Take 3-5 times a day for half a glass.
Endometriosis of the uterus - operation
In the absence of the effect of drug therapy, surgical treatment is used. Uterine cleansing with endometriosis is carried out with the purpose of preserving the ovaries, preventing the spread of foci of the disease. It is performed by the method of laparoscopy, when access to the uterine cavity is obtained through small holes in the anterior abdominal wall. In women of unproductive age with extensive endometriosis, a laparotomy is performed - through a cut in the anterior abdominal wall. Indications for the operation are:
- suspicions of oncology;
- presence of concomitant fibroids;
- endometrioid ovarian cysts;
- disruption of the work of nearby organs.