Endometriosis is a frequently seen gynaecological problem in women today. It is an extremely painful condition leading to menstrual irregularities and infertility.
It is a disorder in which the tissue which normally grows inside the uterus starts growing outside it – such as the pelvic cavity, fallopian tubes, ovaries, vagina, cervix, bladder, intestines or even lungs. And it even behaves the same way as the uterine tissue – shedding in response to the female hormones every month during menstruation. And because it does not have an outlet – like the uterus does – it gets accumulated there causing pain, discomfort and complications like cysts etc.
The common symptoms of endometriosis are:
- Irregular periods
- Unbearable pelvic pain anytime during the month
- Painful periods
- Hardly any or heavy, excessive menstrual bleeding
- Painful sexual activity
- Difficulty in conceiving
- Other symptoms like constipation, diarrhoea, dysuria, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, low grade fever, headache may or may not be present
Cause:
The exact cause of endometriosis is not certain, but there are several possible explanations for it:
Retrograde menstruation: It is a condition where some amount of the normal menstrual blood flows back in to the pelvic cavity and starts to proliferate on the organs there, such as the tubes, ovaries, pelvic cavity, intestinal walls etc.
Family history: Women who have a close relative with endometriosis are at a greater risk of developing it.
Metaplasia: Is a condition in which the endometrial tissue starts growing at a location other than the uterine cavity
Surgical scar implantation: After a hysterectomy or a c-section, endometrial cells may get attached to the surgical incision and start to proliferate there.
Diagnosis:
A detailed history could raise a suspicion of this condition and the only way to confirm the diagnosis is to get a laproscopic examination done. An ultrasonography won’t definitely tell your doctor whether you have endometriosis or not but it can pick up cysts associated with endometriosis.
Living with endometriosis is not easy and it can take a toll on the patient’s overall well being. Women with endometriosis often develop certain diseases like hypothyroidism, asthma, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, allergies, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases etc. Endometriosis is often linked with increased risk of ovarian carcinoma, adenomyosis, pelvic cysts, chocolate cyst of ovaries, pelvic adhesions, etc.
Endometriosis should not be taken lightly and timely steps should be taken towards the right treatment. Modern system of medicine does not have a permanent cure for this condition. Pain killers, synthetic hormones for artificial regulation of periods and IVF & ART for those who wish to conceive. Surgeries are not promising and chances of recurrences are quite high.
Homeopathy for endometriosis
Homeopathy shows the most promising results in endometriosis and many women have benefitted with this holistic treatment. Homeopathy is built on a solid foundation of time-tested scientific principles and the latest advances and research in this field have brought a whole new dimension to it. While treating endometriosis, a homeopath tries to achieve a harmonious balance within the body and tries to correct what is unnatural or ‘not normal’. Homeopathy remedies decrease the production of oestrogen by the endometrial tissue thereby pulling the brakes on abnormal endometrial proliferation. The ectopic endometrium can be effectively reduced and the body starts functioning normally and naturally. Homeopathic medicines like Sepia, Thuja, Murex, Thlaspi, Nux Vomica, Secale Cor, etc. and many more work beautifully in Endometriosis.
