HES 1823 – Scientific Principles of Health and disease
Endometriosis: A Disease That Could Stop A Dream For A Family
Natalia Migliaccio
Many people have experienced a disease or disorder sometime in their lifetime. Chronic diseases and disorders can range from a variety of factors. A specific chronic disease that millions of women encounter worldwide is endometriosis. The exact cause of endometriosis is unclear but often encountered in women through genetics and environmental factors. Furthermore, the significance of endometriosis is commonly associated with and thought to be the cause of pelvic pain and infertility (Giudice and Kao 1789). Endometriosis is a disorder where the endometrial tissue, which is the innermost
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nonsurgical. Due to these samples and cases the disease is being more readily recognized. The estimation for prevalence and incidence within a year varied tremendously. This rate is anywhere from 1 to 50% in reproductive-aged women (Child and Lin Tan 1736). According to Missmer et al, a study was created over a 10 year time period (1989-99) to explore the relationship of endometriosis relative within certain demographics and lifestyle factors. Trends for specific age data provided that the incident rates were lowest in women aged 45-52 and a greatest in women aged 25-29 (791). Lastly, race and ethnicity trends in confirmed endometriosis showed incidence rate for Caucasian women were 20-40% higher than other races and ethnicities. African-American women were at lowest risk for developing endometriosis, while Asian women were at highest risk (Missmer et al. 791). Any disease or disorder affects a part or several parts of the human body. Endometriosis primarily affects pelvic organs in the reproductive system. The endometrial tissue most commonly attaches to the membrane lining the pelvis, ovaries, ovarian ligaments, fallopian tubes and the thin space between the vagina and the rectum known as the rectovaginal septum. The tissue can also move and surround areas within the intestinal wall and abdominal wall including the diaphragm, but is very rare and not likely to happen (Linda 2389). The
Therefore, the scope of information provided is limited to essential information directly related the purpose providing women facts about endometriosis. The facts are brief enough to what the health consumer can reasonably learn in the time allowed. The headings are clearly stated which makes the information provided on this pamphlet easy to follow and promotes learning and interaction among women. This information can aid women to understand about their diagnosis and empower them to make an informed decision. 1,2,2
In adolescent women this is most pronounced, as it can cause pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which itself can lead to ectopic pregnancies and hence further health complications. It can also lead to chronic pelvic pain and in some cases, even infertility.
Endometriosis is a common but often underdiagnosed disease in women during active reproductive years of 25 to 35 years. Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent chronic pelvic disorder that can cause severe pain and adversely affect fertility. Endometriosis is described as the occurrence of endometrial glands and connective tissue called stroma in the extra uterine mucosa located throughout the pelvis (Solnik, 2015). Therefore, as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) accurately diagnoses this disease, this patient population can increase the awareness become educated about endometriosis treatment options.
Alternatively, endometriosis may affect fertility through the production of hormones and other substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo (Stoppler, 2011). 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 (Staff, 2010). 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 (Staff, 2010).
Fibroids are one of the leading causes of infertility. This is because fibroids can cause an obstruction in the fallopian tubes, which prevents the fertilized egg from descending into the uterus and implanting.
Aside from being told they are too young to have the disease, many teenagers who think they may have endometriosis are said to be crazy, as Ballweg says in her book, “A disease that will be chalked up to psychosomatic problems by some because they lack awareness about endo… one can understand why endo is very challenging for those with it, particularly teenagers” (Ballweg 241). In an experiment, 4,000 women were interviewed, and 61% were originally told nothing was wrong, where 69% of these were gynecologists themselves. More funding and research will lead to more awareness, and problems such as these can be avoided in the future, if the necessary things are done for improvement today.
Some of the risk factors associated with uterine fibroids are African American women, obesity, and socioeconomic status (SES) and health access (National Institute Health, 2015).
Women are mostly affected during the reproductive age about 2% to 22%, and 2% to 4% during menopausal age. The ectopic endometrial cells can be implanted in the abdominal or pelvic cavity, namely ovaries, uterine ligament, rectovaginal septum, and pelvic peritoneum. This abnormal cells goes through the process of proliferation, break down and sloughs off during normal menstrual periods. Inflammation and pain noted during the proliferation process cause fibrosis, scarring, and adhesion from the inflammatory process (Huether & McCance, 2012).
Endometriosis occurs when tissue typically found inside the womb grows in other portions of the body. As hormones change throughout the menstrual period, this tissue breaks down and can cause painful adhesions, or scar tissue. Doctors do not know why endometrial tissue grows outside the womb, but they've several theories. Heredity plays a role, and some cells could be present from birth. Another theory suggests that blood containing cells flows back through the rectal tubes and to the thoracic cavity rather of out from the body. These cells are believed to adhere to organs and maintain bleeding and growing with time.
Endometriosis can impact women greatly. They will face many challenges throughout the journey of having endometriosis. A woman with endometriosis will have many problems relating her physical health. One being she will be infertile and struggle to become pregnant. This will me hard when she is trying to have a baby and she might have to have surgery to remove the endometriosis tissue but it’s not always certain that they will become pregnant, although a percentage of women do. Women with this condition also experience many symptoms like severe period pain. This would be hard as some
Endometriosis- When the normal lines that are inside of the uterus are outside of the uterus and end up in the ovaries causing severe pain in the lower abdomen. This disease has many many treatments from hormone therapy to several different types of procedure and surgeries. This
Infertility and ovarian cancer are very serious problems that can be developed in women with endometriosis. Infertility is the main problem associated with endometriosis. It can be a major setback for seemingly healthy couples that want to start a family. “Endometriosis is associated with infertility in 30-40% of sufferers (World Endometriosis, 2011)” “The presence of endometriosis may involve masses of tissue or scarring (adhesions) within the pelvis that may distort normal anatomical structures, such as Fallopian tubes, which transport the eggs from the ovaries. Alternatively, endometriosis may affect fertility through the production of hormones and other substances that have a negative effect on ovulation, fertilization of the egg, and/or implantation of the embryo” (MedicineNet, 2013). Although
Women who suffer endometriosis often undergo conservative surgery such as a laparoscopy or laparotomy in an effort to remove the endometriosis without damaging normal tissue and the reproductive organs ( Hogg & Vyas, 2015.) A laparoscopy allows surgeons to examine the pelvis, abdomen and organs through a small incision usually near the navel ( The Royal Australian And New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2006) In an effort to create more space to work in, the surgeon expand the abdomen cavity using carbon dioxide gas which is inserted through a needle. The needle is then replaced by the laparoscope for the doctor to examine the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries and other organs (The Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2006). Using the small incisions created in the patients’ abdomen, the doctor will insert surgical instruments and begin to cut and remove damaged tissue. Once the endometrial tissue is removed, the doctor will remove the instruments and put a single stich in the incision (The Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2006) A successful laparoscopy manages chronic pelvic pain by delaying or stopping the progress of endometriosis (The Australian and New Zeeland College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, 2006). Alternatively, the surgeon may decide to perform a
Pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring and damage to the reproductive organs that could result in infertility
Uterine fibroids affect 3 out of 4 women (Mayo Clinic, 2014). They are non-cancerous but they can cause pain and discomfort. This paper will discuss who can be effected by Uterine fibroids and its effects on the female reproductive system. This paper will show the three types of fibroids that develop in or near the uterus. It will discuss the symptoms and when a diagnosis is needed. This paper will also look into the various forms of treatment including medications and surgery.