Endometriosis - is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant). Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region.
In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together.
Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop. Fortunately, effective treatments are available.
Causes-- Although the exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, several possible explanations include:
· Retrograde menstruation. This is the most likely explanation for endometriosis. In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. These displaced endometrial cells stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed over the course of each menstrual cycle.
· Embryonic cell growth. The cells lining the abdominal and pelvic cavities come from embryonic cells. When one or more small areas of the abdominal lining turn into endometrial tissue, endometriosis can develop.
· Surgical scar implantation. After a surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
· Endometrial cells transport. The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
· Immune system disorder. It's possible that a problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial tissue that's growing outside the uterus.
Symptoms-- Common signs and symptoms of endometriosis may include:
· Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into your period and may include lower back and abdominal pain.
· Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
· Pain with bowel movements or urination. You're most likely to experience these symptoms during your period.
· Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy periods (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods (menometrorrhagia).
· Infertility. Endometriosis is first diagnosed in some women who are seeking treatment for infertility.
· Other symptoms. You may also experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.
The severity of your pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. Some women with mild endometriosis have extensive pain, while others with advanced endometriosis may have little pain or even no pain at all.
Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for other conditions that can cause pelvic pain, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or ovarian cysts. It may be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a condition that causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.
HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES
CIMCIFUGA RACEMOSA -Cimicifuga is another most effective medicine for endometriosis with pain during periods. It is indicated in case of severe, bearing down pain in the lower abdomen, uterine region and the lower back during periods. It is also prescribed for darting pains in the pelvis from hip to hip. More the menstrual flow, more the pain. Sharp electricity-like pains may appear in various parts of the body as a reflex from uterine/ovarian irritation
SABINA -- Sabina is indicated when colicky or labour-like pains appear in the pelvis. Marked pains in the small of the back and from sacrum and pubis are also observed in such cases. The menses are profuse, partly fluid and part clotted.
THLASPI BURSA PAS.-- Thlaspi is the top medicine when a woman experiences bleeding in between periods that is accompanied by violent uterine pains that are colicky or cramping in nature. The cause can varying in different women like fibroid in uterus, menopause or cancer of uterus. Large clots may pass along with the blood. The bleeding may also be accompanied by backache.
TRILLIUM PENDULUM -Trillium Pendulum is another excellent for treating endometriosis.There is bleeding that occurs in between periods. The foremost symptom for using Trillium Pendulum is severe pain in hips and back along with Inter Menstrual Vaginal Bleeding. The pains are so severe that the woman feels that the hips and back will break into pieces. Another symptom is that the bleeding is bright red in colour.
SEPIA 30--Sepia is another effective medicine for endometriosis when there is marked bearing down pains in the pelvis. Women prescribed Sepia may also complain of gripping, stitching, clutching pains in the pelvis.Pain during intercourse.Women have a low sex drive. Burning and soreness and the genitals are sensitive to touch. Sepia is considered the most useful medicine for endometriosis where it is accompanied by urinary urgency and frequency. A bearing down sensation in the pubic region may be felt. Pain while passing urine from endometriosis lesions also indicates use of Sepia. Pain in the bladder of aching (dull) and burning nature during menses also points to use of Sepia.
PULSATILLA NIG. 30- Pulsatilla is the most effective among Homeopathic medicines for endometriosis for pelvic pain during periods, attended with chills, restlessness and tossing in bed. It is adapted to to patients who are gentle , submissive, tearful disposition. Patient is very emotional wants company. Consolation ameliorates all complaints.
PLATINA -Platina is also effective for pain during intercourse, dyspareunia.It is prescribed women who complain of marked pain during intercourse.Burning and soreness is also present.The genitals are sensitive to touch. But comparing to Sepia Platina have an increased sexual desire
NUX VOMICA -Nux vomica is an effective medicine foe endometriosis with rectal symptoms. Nux Vomica is prescribed when pain in the rectum appears during periods. Ineffectual urging for stool may accompany rectum pain. The stool is unsatisfactory, scanty and incomplete.
AMMONIUM MUR-Ammonium Mur is most effective medicine for endometriosis with a bleeding rectum during menses. The bleeding is usually accompanied by pain in the rectum. Lachesis also have these symptoms.
ERIGERON - Erigeron is very effective for endometriosis.. Here Metrorrhagia with violent irritation of rectum and bladder, prolapses uteri. The flow is bright red in colour.
NATRUM MUR. 200-Natrum mur is effective for endometriosis with urinary troubles. Natrum mur. is prescribed when bleeding from the urinary bladder appears simultaneously with the menses.
MERC. SOL 30—Merc sol is another effective remedy for endometriosis. There is chronic inflammatory condition of the endometrium. Leading symptoms are – burning, stinging , tearing, cutting pains in the ovarian region. There is fever with inflammation of the endometrium. Sensation of rawness in parts. Parts are sore due to excoriating leucorrhoea. Leucorrhoea acrid and fetid , greenish in colour especially at night time. Mammae are painful as if they would ulcerate every menstrual period.
BELLADONNA 30- Belladonna is effective in the beginning stage . There is acute inflammation of endometrium due to congestion. The walls of the uterus are indurated. Uterus is red and hot with throbbing type of pain. Hematuria due to congestion. Genital parts are very sensitive and there is sensation of protrusion.
AURUM MURIATICUM NATRONATUM—The leading symptom of Aurum nat. nat. is uterus enlarged, fills up the whole pelvis. Ulceration of the neck of the uterus and vagina.
SILICEA –Silicea is another effective remedy for endometriosis. There is induration and inflammation of the mucous membrane of the uterus. Menses too early , acrid, and too profuse. Discharge of blood between two periods. Leucorrhoea instead of menses.Another prescribing symptom is increased menses , with paroxysms of icy coldness over whole body.
XANTHOXYLUM -Xanthoxylum is very effective when periods are very painful, with excruciating pain in the pelvis, back, thighs and legs. The menses are profuse and exhausting.
ARSENICUM ALB –Painful menses, menses too profuse and too soon. Menorrhagia. Sticking pains in the pelvis extending down to thighs, worse in wet weather, after midnight, from cold and cold drinks and right side. Better from heat and warm drinks.There is great fear of death , thinks that her disease is incurable. Patient is depressed , irritable, extremely anxious and restless.
CHINA China is the best remedy for endometriosis when heavy bleeding is accompanied by exhaustion, weakness or even faintness. China helps in putting a halt to the bleeding as well removing the weakness.