6 Common Causes of Endometriosis
When endometrial tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus at unusual locations like the ovaries, fallopian tube, or pelvis, a painful condition called endometriosis arises. During menstruation, endometrial tissue breaks down and comes out in the form of menstrual blood flow. But when endometrial tissue grows at unusual locations like the ovaries and fallopian tubes, it does not come out and results in scarring of the tissue and cyst formation. Symptoms of endometriosis include a painful period, pain during sex, painful urination and bowel movements, excessive blood loss during menstruation, and infertility.
Endometriosis Causes
It is not clear how endometriosis occurs, but some possible causes are as follows:
- Retrograde menstruation: When menstrual blood, instead of flowing out, flows back to the fallopian tube and pelvic cavity, endometrial cells present in the blood may stick to the pelvic organs and walls. These cells, present in an unusual position, may grow and bleed during each menstrual cycle.
- Transformation of peritoneal cells: According to experts, cells present in the abdomen and peritoneum may transform into endometrial cells due to hormones and immune factors, which can lead to endometriosis.
- Changes in embryonic cells: During puberty, embryonic cells in the body may get converted into endometrial-like cells due to the effect of hormones (oestrogen), which can give rise to endometriosis.
- Transport of endometrial cells: Endometrial cells can be transported to unusual locations through blood vessels and tissue fluid.
- Immune problems: Immune system conditions make recognising and removing endometrial tissue growing in unusual places difficult.
- Tissue scarring due to surgery: Sometimes, endometrial tissue gets attached to scar tissue formed after surgery and grows there, for example, in the stomach area after a C-section delivery.
Endometriosis diagnosis is necessary if symptoms related to endometriosis are experienced. Diagnosis is usually done by pelvic examination, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and laparoscopy.
Conclusion
Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue that lines the uterus grows in unusual locations like the ovaries, fallopian tube, abdominal cavity, and pelvis. The main symptom of the disease is painful periods. Endometriosis can be caused by retrograde menstruation, transformation of peritoneal cells into endometrial tissues due to changes in embryonic tissue, and immune problems. It is necessary to consult a healthcare provider to manage the disease. Having proper health insurance ensures that the costs of diagnosis and treatment are covered, offering peace of mind during the treatment process.