-IBIS-1.5.0-
tx
reproductive system
endometriosis
diagnoses

definition and etiology

definition:
The ectopic occurrence of endometrial tissue.

etiology:
A common problem which has no known etiology but a higher occurrence is seen in women who defer pregnancy until later in life.

Fiberoptic laparoscopic techniques allow a direct look at the problematic tissue.

signs and symptoms

signs and symptoms:
If this tissue is growing adjacent to or on the lumbar nerve plexus, or on the colon, the symptoms can be varied and the diagnosis hard to pin down.
• dull, aching, cramping pain
• bearing down pressure in the low back and pelvis
• dyspareunia (pain with intercourse) may occur
• abnormal bleeding may occur
• palpable, tender nodules along the uterosacral ligaments
• a fixed, tender, retroflexed uterus
• thickening of the adnexae

lab findings:
• ultrasound

course and prognosis

The ectopic endometrial tissue can grow anywhere and responds to the same hormonal messages as other uterine tissue, swelling and changing with the menstrual cycle.
Pain tends to increase with time and begins progressively earlier in the menstrual cycle.
Laser techniques to destroy it are currently popular in conventional medicine as is removing the uterus, ovaries (and perhaps appendix) thus stopping the menstrual cycle altogether.

differential diagnosis

• musculoskeletal problems causing back and pelvic pain
• dysmenorrhea
• PID
• Ovarian tumor


footnotes