Tag: Endometriosis

Health

Recognizing Endometriosis Awareness Month

Mar 1, 2022 by Praveen 0 Comments #Awareness Month, #Endometriosis

While efforts aimed at increased endometriosis education, research funding, and access to care occur throughout the year, the month of March is officially designated as a time for endometriosis stakeholders including patients and their families, health organizations, businesses, and legislators to come together to raise awareness and educate the public about the disease. The Center for Endometriosis Care (CEC) is pleased to again lend its annual support to various March endeavors.

Endometriosis is a systemic, inflammatory disease affecting approximately 190 million individuals globally. Characterized at surgery by the presence of endometrium-like tissue found outside the uterus, usually with an associated inflammatory process, it is a spectrum disease with a variety of subtypes and clinical presentations. Pain, inflammation, infertility, development of endometriomas (“chocolate cysts”), fibrosis, formation of adhesions (fibrous bands of dense tissue), GI and other organ dysfunction, and much more are common with endometriosis. Often found in the pelvic cavity, the disease can also be located in distant locations like the lungs. Unfortunately, misinformation about endometriosis persists, and its far-reaching, systemic effects often go unrecognized. Delayed diagnosis and poor management are common, with many patients suffering through ineffective surgeries and inadequate medical therapies.

The CEC is a distinctive Center of Expertise with singular focus. Established over thirty years ago for the dedicated treatment of the disease, the Center unflinchingly treats endometriosis exclusively through an excisional, multidisciplinary approach. “So many patients have been given dismal prospects and limited choices. To be able to offer our patients another alternative through the meticulous and advanced excision of their disease via Laparoscopic techniques, and to see the long-lasting, successful effects, makes what we do so worthwhile,” said world-renowned endometriosis specialist and CEC Medical Director, Dr. Ken Sinervo.

The Center’s team, led by Dr. Sinervo, has provided compassionate care to thousands of patients from nearly seventy countries since it was founded by endometriosis pioneer, Dr. Robert B. Albee, Jr., in 1991. In addition, the CEC serves as one of the leading disease advocates and educators in an effort to drive changes, collaborating on many global initiatives including Nursing education and providing surgical training. Dr. Sinervo, Dr Jeff Arrington and the CEC team also serve as frequent Faculty, presenting on endometriosis year-round at various lay and professional conferences. As part of the CEC’s continuing efforts to help those who may be suffering, the Center also encourages any individual who has, or thinks they may have, endometriosis to take advantage of the Center’s free records review and phone consultation with a CEC physician.

Kate (Boyce) Donahue, BCPA, a scientist and Board-Certified professional Patient Advocate, reflected on her own journey as Awareness Month approaches. “Endometriosis is a whole-body disease that almost destroyed me,” she said. “I am grateful to the Center for helping me physically heal and get back on my feet.” As Co-Founder of the popular advocacy organization, EndoGirls Blog (@endogirlsblog), Kate encourages “all those with endometriosis to research the disease using authoritative resources and above all, to not lose hope.”

Health

Adolescent Endometriosis / Information on painful periods for teenagers

Dec 10, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Adolescent Endometriosis, #Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, #Dr. Vimee Bindra, #Endometriosis, #painful periods, #teenagers

By – Dr. Vimee Bindra, Consultant – Obstetrics & Gynecology, Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Jubilee Hills and Kondapur

Endometriosis is a condition in women where cells, similar to the lining of the uterus, grow an extra-uterine layer at an unusual site, such as ovaries, pelvic peritoneum, fallopian tubes. Actually, they can grow anywhere. In the past, it was believed that this disease affects only older women, but we now know that it is common for a teen or young woman to also get endometriosis.

A young girl may think that the incapacitating symptoms are the norm, and she has to live with it. This feeling and misconception are deepened further by ill-informed people who tell her that “period pain is normal”, “exercise will make it better”, “don’t behave like a kid, it’s your period”, “your mother and grandmother had the same pain, so don’t worry”.

If the pain does not subside and she is taken to a doctor, in all probability she may be told that there is no problem – “Everything is fine with you, no need to complain so much”. If pain is rather bad, she will be introduced to the world of analgesics (painkillers). If that also does not work, contraceptive pills come to the rescue, and she starts functioning under the influence of hormones. But, if it is due to endometriosis the disease progression continues, and after years of suffering, she may be diagnosed only once she undergoes laparoscopy.

Can women in their teens get endometriosis symptoms?

Most women, when asked, say that their period pain started in their teens or early 20s. Around 40% of women start experiencing period pain before the age of 15 years.

How does one recognize whether the period pain needs further evaluation?

Mild discomfort on the first 1-2 days of a period is common, but it needs further evaluation if it causes distress or inability to do routine activities, missing school, sports activities and does not get better when treatments like simple painkillers are taken.

Which teens are at greater risk?

Endometriosis runs in families, so young girls whose relatives have had endometriosis, have a higher chance of having endometriosis. Girls who start their periods early and have low BMI, run a higher risk of endometriosis.

These girls may even develop some other symptoms – such as heavy bleeding, bloating, lower back pain, muscle spasm, irritable bowel, painful overactive bladder, fatigue. If a teenage girl is not responding to medical pain management, and if laparoscopy is done, almost 67-70 % of them will be diagnosed to have endometriosis.

How is endometriosis diagnosed in teenage girls?

Ultrasound and MRI can detect ovarian cysts quite well, but in teenage girls these lesions are rare and peritoneal lesions are more common. These lesions are small and are clear, or white or red, and can be picked up only on a laparoscopy. To identify these lesions properly, endo excision experts should be involved in diagnosis and treatment.

How can parents deal with their teenage daughter who is suffering from pain?

Here are ways that parents can support their young daughter dealing with the pain:

– Get good information about pelvic pain.

– Help them cope up with the pain and its effects on their emotional thought process, so that they know they are not alone and do not need to suffer like this whole life

– Help them develop a support team of gynecologists, physiotherapists, pain management specialists, dieticians, counselors, friends, teachers, and school nurses.

– Try to shift the focus away from pain by encouraging them to engage in activities that lift their spirits.

– Help your adolescent develop a plan to deal with a bad pain day’.

What can adolescents do to manage their pain and symptoms?

Keeping active will reduce their muscle spasm. Gentle exercise such as walking and stretching helps.

Physiotherapists can help relax pelvic muscles, as tightening the pelvic muscles increases pain.

Improve diet, include an anti-inflammatory diet and avoid constipation, drink plenty of water.

Involving yourself in a hobby helps distract you from symptoms. Meditation and breathing exercises also focus the mind away from pain symptoms and help in pain management.

Acupuncture and alternative therapies can ease the pain symptoms for some young women.

What’s best we can offer?

Ensure that it is diagnosed early. If the pain is severe, endometriosis should be considered a possibility. Opt for a diagnosis and believe the patient who is experiencing the pain. Do not keep suggesting that – “It happens … it’s normal … you are over-reacting”. If it’s endometriosis, it can be corrected surgically, and she can lead a pain-free life.

GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT!

Trained excision surgeons, who can completely recognize the disease and remove it, can reduce the recurrence rates of disease.

This can be a daycare surgery, and the patient can go home the same day.

If complete excision is done, post-operative pain relief is miraculous. However, menstrual cramps and ovulatory pain may persist.

When these young girls are free from chronic pelvic pain, their healthy state of mind returns, and their productivity increases. They can themselves value their worth and live more enriched lives.