By our reporter Emma Kemsley
As we draw to the end of endometriosis awareness month we hope this debilitating condition, which casts a shadow over the lives of millions of women worldwide, is now more understood by a new generation of people.
This abnormal growth of tissue outside the uterus, weaves a complex tapestry of pain, uncertainty, and fertility challenges.
Understanding the Landscape of Endometriosis
Endometriosis, in its essence, is a condition of misplaced biology. The endometrial tissue, responding dutifully to hormonal cues, behaves as it would within the confines of the uterus. However, its presence outside the womb heralds a cascade of consequences.
Unable to exit the body like its uterine counterpart, this tissue invites inflammation, scarring, and the formation of adhesions, paving the way for a myriad of symptoms.
Navigating the Maze of Symptoms and Diagnosis
The symptoms of endometriosis vary in intensity and manifestation from woman to woman.
There are four classifications, with grade 4 being the severest:- minimal (stage 1), mild (stage 2), moderate (stage 3) and severe (stage 4).
Pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility stand as common signposts along this challenging journey. Yet, these symptoms, while characteristic of endometriosis, can also masquerade under the guise of other conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, or irritable bowel syndrome.
Through meticulous evaluation encompassing medical history, pelvic examination, and imaging modalities such as ultrasound or MRI, clinicians strive to unravel the mystery of endometriosis.
However, it is the gold standard of diagnosis, laparoscopy, that offers the clearest vantage point. This minimally invasive surgical procedure grants direct visualization of pelvic organs, providing invaluable insights for tailored treatment. Unfortunately surgery often only provides pain relief for a few years before the tissue grows again and the pain returns.
The Endometriosis Saliva Test
There is now also a second option for younger women to have confirmation of the presence of endometriosis. The saliva test takes only around two weeks to get a result, but some gynaecologists are discouraging women from using it, claiming it’s not accurate.
With the profit from the endometriosis saliva test being around £100, and a surgical procedure bringing gynaecologists thousands of pounds, we have to question whether this claim is financially motivated or not? It would certainly bring into question the ethics of some gynaecologists if they are making false claims.
One thing is for sure, if women don’t want to wait up to 8 years for a diagnosis, then this is a great alternative in the early stages. An early confirmation diagnosis allows women not only to plan heir fertility journey’s, but also to seek appropriate pain relief from experts who won’t fob them off as many GP’s do, claiming “it’s just a bad period’.
Endometriosis and the Path to Parenthood: New Insights
For women grappling with endometriosis, the dream of motherhood can often feel like an elusive mirage. The growth of endometrial tissue poses formidable obstacles along the path to conception.
Disrupting ovulation, fertilization, and the implantation processes, endometriosis casts a shadow over natural fertility. Moreover, inflammation and scarring exact their toll on the functionality of fallopian tubes and the uterine environment, further complicating the journey to parenthood.
Innovations such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) offer a lifeline, circumventing the hurdles imposed by the condition. By harnessing the power of ART to retrieve eggs, fertilizing them in a controlled laboratory environment, and transferring resulting embryos to the uterus, clinicians can navigate the labyrinthine complexities of endometriosis with precision and optimism.
A Beacon of Hope Amidst the Storm
It’s often a good idea for women with endometriosis to be tested for NK cells otherwise known as ‘killer cells’. Experts like Professor Hassan Shehata from the CRP clinic in Epsom, Surrey, have found that many women who have endometriosis often struggle with repeated miscarriages.
He has a more than 80 percent success rate for treating women like this with his protocol which includes steroids.
He puts his success down to understanding the inhospitable environment which high NK cells can create, damaging even the healthiest embryo’s.
Other experts in this field include Professor Quenby in Coventry, who is also a pioneering researcher in the field of NK cells. She tests for NK cells in the uterus, while professor Shehata tests for NK cells in the blood.
Both of them include steroids in their treatment, although some women find it can disrupt their menstrual cycle..
For more information about laparoscopy surgery and other endometriosis articles, take a look at our reporter Emma Kemsley’s page.
