The Myth Of Endometriosis In The Human Body

The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis is made by histologic examination of a biopsied lesion collected during laparoscopy. However, the first line study for the diagnosis of endometriosis is pelvic ultrasound (US). The ultrasound can provide the FNP information that corroborates the suspicion of endometriosis, such as adnexal nodular mass, rectovaginal or bladder nodules (Solnik, 2015). Nonetheless, early stages of endometriosis may not be detected by transvaginal US. Rectal US may also be an appropriate test to visualize deep pelvic endometriosis or involvement of the colon or rectum (Solnik,

The symptoms of endometriosis affect the women who suffer them in different ways. Most women notice an increase in symptoms as their menstrual period approaches and begins. In rarer cases the symptoms persist throughout the month. The discomfort and pain is normally localized in the pelvic, abdominal or lower back regions. The severity of the pain caused varies from woman to woman. Endometriosis can also cause heavy menstruation and in severe cases infertility.

There are many disorders that a female can go through from just the reproductive system. The one I am going to describe is called Endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue appears outside the endometrial cavity. Endometrial tissue is found in the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and the uterus. This condition affects about 40% to 60% of women in the United States. Women who have this disorder may experience painful menstruation, displaced tissue bleeds each month and forms endometrial crust, in which can cause the development of endometrial cysts. The cyst can rupture and cause future reproduction of tissue.

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 affects 10% of reproductive-age women (Yale School of Medicine). It affects nearly 176 million women, ranging from 15-49, all over the world (World Endometriosis, 2011). “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) (Mayo Clinic, 2013)” It most commonly involves your ovaries and the lining of the pelvis, but in extreme cases can spread to other parts of the body. The displaced tissue continues to act like it normally would in the uterus, thickening and breaking down with each menstrual cycle. Since the displaced tissue has nowhere to go, it becomes trapped with no way to get out (Mayo Clinic, 2013).

Women with endometriosis find it harder to become pregnant than other women Depending on the stage of endometriosis and where endometriosis implants in the body, some women may not even get pregnant at all if they are on the last stage of endometriosis and the cysts is located in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus because of the enlarged endometriosis cysts not only causing inflammation but also interfering with each stage of the menstrual cycle.

Endometrial cells that shed during menstruation are transported through the fallopian tubes and enter the pelvis, attaching to pelvic structures. Cells can travel outside the pelvis through the lymphatic and blood vessels, during menstruation this tissue responds to hormonal changes and bleeding which can cause inflammation to the surrounding tissue. Inflammation can lead to fibrosis, and fibrosis leads to adhesions that can be painful. (docucare, 2017) Menorrhagia can occur with endometriosis because of the hormone build up caused by the thicken of the uterine wall. (Mayo Clinic 2017)

Uterine fibroids are benign (noncancerous) - however - they can produce a wide variety of painful symptoms, such as heavy bleeding, which may cause iron deficiency and obstruction of the intestinal tract or urinary tract. Fibroids can cause just the sex painful, and they are one of the leading causes of miscarriages and infertility.

The endometrium is the lining of the uterus, a hollow, muscular organ in a woman’s pelvis. The uterus is where a fetus grows. In most non pregnant women, the uterus is about 3 inches long. The lower, narrow end of the uterus is the cervix, which leads to the vagina”. (www.cancer.gov 2017)

There are many diseases that impact a women’s life, and one of those would be endometriosis. Endometriosis is one of the many diseases that impact a woman's life. There should be more research done on this topic so that women can understand that their lives may be affected by this disease. Endometriosis is a disease that impacts women’s bodies and fertility that can have different causes but a few treatments.

Endometriosis is a gynecological medical condition in which cells from the lining of the uterus (endometrium) appear and flourish outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the membrane which lines the abdominal cavity. The uterine cavity is lined with endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are influenced by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells found inside the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual cycle.

In women, pelvic organs (bladder, uterus, vagina, small bowel, and rectum) are well supported by the cardinal ligaments, levator ani skeletal muscles and the endopelvic fascia that comprise the Pelvic Floor (DeLancey, 1992). Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) is a very common condition affecting millions of women worldwide. It is the downward descent of the pelvic organs and/or vault into the vagina due to the weakened or damaged pelvic floor support structures (Figure 3) (Jelovsek et al., 2007). There are different types of POP depending upon the organs that herniate through the vagina. Cystocele occurs when the bladder herniates through the weakened anterior vaginal wall. Enterocele is the descent of small bowel into vagina and rectocele occurs

Having never heard of this theory it seems to fit perfectly to aid in further education on endometriosis. This common health condition affects “at least 5 million women in the United States” (“Endometriosis,” n.d.). Due to its prevalence, it is necessary to educate nurses on the importance of having regular pap smears and the signs and symptoms that it commonly presents itself as. Unfortunately, the causes of endometriosis are not known but may be linked to genetic factors. Other health problems associated with endometriosis include ovarian cancer, breast cancer, autoimmune diseases, and fibromyalgia (“Endometriosis,” n.d.). Understanding and knowing what other health problems can be linked to this type of condition may help providers

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.