Endometriosis: How to manage this silent epidemic

Endometriosis, which often goes undiagnosed for years, can severely impact women’s quality of life and fertility if left untreated

Hyderabad: World’s 10 per cent (roughly 190 million) of reproductive age women and girls have been affected from endometriosis. Since endometriosis is an idiopathic condition, which means there is no known cause, there are no specific ways to prevent this major health issue.

Endometriosis, which often goes undiagnosed for years, can severely impact women’s quality of life and fertility if left untreated.

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However, there is a hope to minimize the adverse affects by regular healthy regime of nutritional diet and exercise. Doctors say that awareness, early intervention and effective management can help reduce complications related to the condition that can lead to infertility.

What is Endometriosis?

A woman’s uterus is lined with endometrial tissue, which is called endometrium. During a typical menstrual cycle, the endometrium builds up and is then shed.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, commonly on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvic lining. As the lining builds up and breaks down, it causes small amounts of bleeding inside the pelvis, causing pain, inflammation, and scar formation.

It can also lead to buildup of fibrous tissues between reproductive organs that causes them to “stick” together.

Endometriosis hurts a woman’s fertility by damaging reproductive organs. These changes can interfere with egg release, fertilisation, or implantation in the uterus.

Symptoms  

Women with endometriosis often have debilitating pain that can prevent them from working or taking care of themselves or family. Many women and girls do not experience any pain, which makes the condition worse.

Sometimes, women have chronic and severe pelvic pain even when they don’t have their periods.

Painful intercourse, a common symptom, can be due to endometriosis beneath the uterus.

While many ovarian cysts are normal, cysts associated with endometriosis become large and painful, and may need surgery.

About 25% to 50% of women living with infertility have endometriosis.

Managing  Endometriosis

Adopting a healthy lifestyle can be helpful. It can include habits like maintaining hygiene, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and going for regular health checkups.

Staying physically active by performing activities such as walking, running, jogging, and yoga, focusing on eating a diet that is enriched with antioxidants are essential, say doctors.