Endometriosis
Endometriosis affects around 2 million women in the UK. Most of them are diagnosed between the ages of 25 and 40.
Endometriosis is a common condition in which small pieces of the womb lining (the endometrium) are found outside the womb. This could be in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, bowel, vagina or rectum.
Endometriosis commonly causes pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), pelvis or lower back, however symptoms of endometriosis vary from person to person. Some women have few or no symptoms at all.
The most common symptoms include:
- painful or heavy periods
- pain in the lower abdomen (tummy), pelvis or lower back
- pain during sexual intercourse
- bleeding between periods
Endometriosis can also cause fertility problems.
The experience of pain varies between women. Most women with endometriosis get pain in the area between their hips and the tops of their legs. Some women have this all the time, while others only have pain during their periods, when they have sex or when they go to the toilet.
Other symptoms may include:
- discomfort when urinating
- bleeding from your back passage (rectum)
- bowel blockage (if the endometriosis tissue is in the intestines)
- coughing blood (if the endometriosis tissue is in the lung)
How severe the symptoms are depends largely on where in your body the endometriosis is, rather than the amount of endometriosis you have. A small amount of tissue can be as painful as, or more painful than, a large amount.
At your appointment you will see a consultant gynaecologist who will discuss the symptoms you are experiencing.
There is no known cure for endometriosis. It is a chronic (long-term) condition that can cause pain, lack of energy, depression and fertility problems. However, symptoms can be managed and fertility improved with pain medication, hormone treatment or surgery, so that the condition does not interfere with your daily life. Treatment may not be necessary if your symptoms are mild and you have no fertility problems. In approximately 35% of cases, one usually recovers from endometriosis without treatment.
The gynaecologist will discuss the treatment options, these include:
- Surgery- can be used to remove or destroy areas of endometriosis tissue, which can help improve symptoms and fertility. The kind of surgery you have will depend on where the tissue is.
- Antiprogestogens- are synthetic hormones that bring on an artificial menopause by decreasing the production of oestrogen and progesterone
- Progestogens - are synthetic hormones that behave like the natural hormone progesterone. They stop eggs from being released (ovulation), which can help to shrink endometriosis tissue.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) – are usually the preferred treatment as they act against the inflammation (swelling) caused by endometriosis, as well as helping to ease pain and discomfort.
After the initial consultation, the consultant may wish to perform additional tests and these will be discussed with you when we arrange your appointment so that you know the full cost prior to visiting HealthHarmonie.
Following your consultation you will receive a written report. We will also ask if you would like a copy of the report sent to your NHS healthcare provider, for example your GP.
Please note that you do not need a GP referral.
Call 0121 454 7779 for further information or to make an appointment