According to the World Health Organization (WHO) endometriosis affects approximately 190 million women and girls of reproductive age worldwide. This disease occurs when the endometrial cells, the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, is outside the uterine cavity, settling in other areas of the body, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and abdominal cavity, causing severe pain. menstrual and even be one of the causes of infertility. On this occasion, Dr. Alida Oblitas, a gynecologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma, provides us with more information on the subject.

Causes

There are various theories about the origin of this disease, the most accepted being:

• The theory of retrograde menstruation or Sampson’s theory: This is that, during menstruation, blood containing endometrial cells returns through the fallopian tubes to the abdominal cavity instead of being expelled from the body through the cervix. towards the vagina. In this way, the endometrial cells are deposited outside the uterus, implanting and being able to grow.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis is not easy. It is suspected when the patient presents strong menstrual cramps; An ultrasound is continued and if this does not present any better results, an MRI is requested.

Treatment

The WHO mentions that there is no treatment available to cure this disease. However, there are those that help alleviate your symptoms, such as:

• Medical treatment
  The specialist prescribes a medical treatment with analgesics and anti-inflammatories, to alleviate pain and provide quality of life.
• Surgical treatment
  A surgical diagnostic laparoscopy is used when pelvic pain is suspected, which could be an adhesion syndrome or an ovarian cyst.

Remember that it is very important to go to a gynecological control periodically, to carry out an early intervention and prevent the ovary from being compromised.

Dra. Alida Oblitas
Gynecologist at Clínica Ricardo Palma