As a result, scar tissue and adhesions develop, worseningpain during menstruation.
In addition, some endometrial lesions have nerves that are more sensitive to pain.
Although worse during monthlyperiods, endometriosis pain often persists between menstrual cycles.
Alicia Fdez / Getty Images
Flow Characteristics
Certain immune system cells help break down endometrial fragments in the uterus.
Many people with endometriosis report having largeblood clotsand a heavy menstrual flow.
Therefore, spotting in between periods is often due to the hormonal imbalance of estrogen andprogesterone.
Therefore, postmenopausal development of endometriosis is not common.
Surgical menopause happens when the ovaries are removed (oophorectomy).
This reduces estrogen levels and removes endometriosis lesions that have invaded the ovaries.
Endometriosis pain is diminished when the ovaries and the endometriosis lesions are gone.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve the physical and psychological pain of endometriosis periods.
Seek Mental Health Help
Be sure to seek mental health support if you have painful endometriosis periods.
Resources can be found through theEndometriosis Association.
This may belaparoscopy using excision(cutting out lesions) or ablation (burning away lesions).
Less commonly, laparotomy (open surgery with a larger incision) may be performed.
In adenomyosis, endometrial tissue grows into the muscular wall of the uterus and remains contained within the uterus.
Summary
In endometriosis, tissues similar to the uterine lining proliferate outside of the uterus.
These tissues respond to the hormones of the menstrual cycle, swelling and bleeding like the endometrial lining.
This can cause chronic pelvic pain, heavy menstrual flow, spotting between periods, and other complications.
Fortunately, there are pharmacologic, lifestyle, holistic, and surgical therapies that can improve painful endometriosis periods.
It’s essential to incorporate healthy mental and physical lifestyle changes when diagnosed with endometriosis.
Joining a support group or talking to a counselor can also help manage the psychological effects of this condition.
Cramping, pelvic heaviness, constipation, and pain with urination can occur with endometriosis periods.
When endometrial tissue invades surrounding organs, it swells and bleeds like it did in the uterus.
This process results in worsening inflammation and pain during menstruation.
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