What are Endometriosis Symptoms and How to Diagnose it?

All About Endometriosis  

A woman’s uterus is lined with endometrial tissues, and this particular lining of tissues is known as endometrium. Each time after a menstrual cycle, the body grows a new endometrium to prepare for a fertilised egg. 

Endometriosis affects almost 10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44. In this article, we will discuss the endometriosis symptoms and the ways to diagnose it properly. Additionally, we will highlight the different treatment methods for these symptoms. 

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where tissues similar to endometrium grow outside the uterus. Eventually, it can cause severe pain in the pelvis region and make it difficult to get pregnant. 

It usually starts with a woman’s first menstrual period and lasts until menopause. Tissue formation outside the uterus leads to inflammation and scar tissue in the pelvic region and other areas of the body. 

What Causes Endometriosis?

The leading cause of endometriosis is unknown, though experts believe it happens due to some genetic mutations. Though the original cause is not clear, it is assumed retrograde menstruation can be a possible reason for endometriosis. It is when the menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes and the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. 

Although there is no cure for it, medications are used to treat severe endometriosis symptoms in women. In case of critical conditions, surgery can be a better option to ease the symptoms.

What are the Types of Endometriosis?

Based on the affected area of the pelvis or abdomen, endometriosis can be grouped into the following four types:

• Superficial Peritoneal Endometriosis: The peritoneum is a thin membrane that lines the abdomen and pelvis. It covers most of the organs in these cavities. In this stage, endometrial tissues attach to the peritoneum. 
• Endometriomas: This type is also known as chocolate cysts because they are dark and fluid-filled. They can vary in size and appear in different parts of the pelvis and abdomen. 
• Deeply Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE): In this type, the endometrial tissue invades the organs within or outside the pelvic cavity. The most common type of scar endometriosis symptoms includes tissues bonding to organs permanently, leading to cysts.
• Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: In some cases, endometrial tissue can grow on the abdominal wall.     
   

What are the Stages of Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is classified into four stages based on the extent and depth of the implanted endometrial tissues and the presence of any adhesions and cysts. Let us discuss a more detailed breakdown of each stage:

Stage 1 (Minimal)

There are a few small implants, wounds, or lesions in this particular stage. You can find these on the organs or the tissue lining the pelvis or abdomen, with little to no scar tissue.  

Stage 2 (Mild)

More implants are seen than the stage I. They are also deeper in the tissue, and some scar tissue may be present in that region. 

Stage 3 (Moderate)

At this stage of endometriosis, you can observe many implants. Some may have small cysts on one or both ovaries and thick bands of scar tissue known as adhesions.  

Stage 4 (Severe)

In this stage, endometriosis is the most widespread across the pelvic regions. You can see deep implants, thick adhesions, and large cysts on one or both ovaries. 
 

What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis?

Scar endometriosis symptoms are common among women. However, based on their physiology, these symptoms can vary from woman to woman. Here, we will discuss the endometriosis stages symptoms based on the stages within the body:         

Stage 1 Endometriosis Symptoms

The symptoms of this stage can be subtle or absent. However, it can include:

• Mild Pelvic Pain: Women may experience mild pain in the lower abdomen or pelvis, particularly during the menstrual cycle.
• Discomfort: Some individuals can experience pain or discomfort during intercourse.
• Diarrhoea: Occasional abdominal discomfort can cause diarrhoea due to tensions within the abdominal muscles.  

These are usually mild endometriosis symptoms observed during the initial stages and can be treated with proper medications.      

Stage 2 Endometriosis Symptoms

The endometriosis stages symptoms are noticeable and consistent due to the spreading of the tissues across the uterus. Symptoms include:

• Bloating: Also known as “Endo Belly”, can cause general abdominal pain and diarrhoea. Constant bloating also induces the reflex of nausea due to increased levels of abdominal acid. 
• Discomfort During Bowel Movements: Bowel endometriosis symptoms include pain during bowel movements or urination. These eventually lead to chronic irritable bowel syndrome. 
• Consistent Pelvic Pain: Some women experience consistent pelvic pain and menstrual cramps. Pain can feel like a heavyweight object pressing down the pelvis.  

Consistent pelvic pain and infertility are sometimes observed in this stage. These are similar to those women who have experienced endometriosis symptoms after miscarriage.           

Stage 3 Endometriosis Symptoms

In stage 3, women experience deep endometriosis symptoms as adhesion can bind scar tissues along with the organs. 
These adhesions can cause uncomfortable and weird endometriosis symptoms like sharp stabbing pains. Other symptoms include: 

• Chronic Pelvic Pain: Pelvic pain gets chronic and consistent at this stage, and it stays persistent. Additionally, menstrual cramps get intense, interfering with the daily lifestyle. Alongside painful bowel movements, the condition worsens.    
• Menstrual Issues: Heavy menstrual or menorrhagia occurs at this stage and lasts for more than 6 to 7 days. In some instances, spotting and bleeding between periods are observed frequently.    
• Cysts Formation: These cysts are known as endometriomas and show different endometriosis chocolate cysts symptoms like period pains in the pelvic region and potential infertility.     

Stage 4 Endometriosis Symptoms 

Stage 4 Endometriosis symptoms are the most severe form and can cause extreme discomfort. The most common symptoms include: 

• Painful and Severe Pelvic Pain: These weird endometriosis symptoms are the hallmark of this stage. Debilitating pain often occurs before and after menstruation.    
• Chronic Fatigue: It directly affects the body’s metabolism, leading to low energy levels. You will experience genuine daytime fatigue, characterised by a lack of energy and reluctance to perform tasks.
• Infertility: The presence of deep implants, adhesions, and pelvic inflammation can cause difficulties in conceiving, which eventually causes miscarriage. 
   

What Causes Endometriosis Symptoms?

Endometriosis is a complex disease that affects many women globally from the onset of the first period through menopause. It happens regardless of any particular geographic region or location. 
Various contributes to its development, but at present, endometriosis arises due to the following causes:

• Retrograde Menstruation: It results in the deposition of endometrial-like cells outside the uterus, where these can implant and grow. 
• Cellular Metaplasia: Cellular metaplasia is when cells change from one form to another. Cells outside the uterus change into endometrial-like cells and start growing and expanding. 
• Stem Cell Mutation: Mutation in the stem cell lineage can cause endometriosis, which then spreads through the body via blood and lymphatic vessels.  
   

Major Treatment Methods for Endometriosis Symptoms

Endometriosis symptoms are generally treated in two ways: surgical and non-surgical treatments. Let us explore the types of treatment methods for it:

Surgical Methods

These are the surgical methods to treat endometriosis symptoms.

• Laparoscopic Surgeries: In this procedure, doctors insert a tube by incising a particular portion of the abdomen. After that, they remove the excess endometrial tissue by incision or ablation.
• Hysterectomy: In chronic cases, doctors can suggest going for a hysterectomy. The doctor will operate and remove the uterus and ovaries.   

Non-surgical Methods  

The introduction of different drugs is the most conventional and convenient method of treating the symptoms of endometriosis. Commonly used drugs are: 

• Birth Control Pills: Oral birth control pills, Vaginal rings, birth control shot implants, or IUDs are the most common treatment for endometriosis
• Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH): It is a modern hormone therapy that is injecting GnRH will stop the menstrual cycle. 
• Danazol: This medication halts the production of hormones important for menstruation. While taking this medication, irregular periods can occur or might stop entirely.
  It is essential to consult with expert healthcare professionals before taking these medications for treatment purposes.  
   

Final Takeaway

Although treatment methods have advanced in the medical field, treating endometriosis symptoms is still under research. First, the main cause of endometriosis is not clear, and many factors determine its origin and spread. 
It can happen to any woman at any phase of life, leading to different problems like consistent pelvic pain and infertility. Seeking proper medical help can ease the symptoms, but determining how to cure them properly is still undergoing research.