Intestinal endometriosis is a disease in which endometrium, tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, develops in the wall of the abdomen and reaches parts of the intestine and rectum, hindering its functioning and causing symptoms such as changes in bowel habits, in addition to severe abdominal pain, especially during menstruation.
When endometrial cells are found only outside the intestine, intestinal endometriosis is called superficial, but when these cells enter the lining of the intestine and reach the inside, intestinal endometriosis is classified as deep.
- Surgery is usually needed to reduce the amount of endometrial tissue in the gut.
- However.
- There are also cases where endometrial tissue has not spread much and the disease does not produce symptoms.
- In these cases treatment is easier and surgery is not.
- It is always necessary.
- And the use of hormonal remedies can only be guided by the doctor.
Some women have no symptoms or may have only a few, such as
Sometimes the endometrium develops and can cause a blockage of the intestine, causing constipation.
Symptoms of intestinal endometriosis usually worsen during menstruation, but in some cases symptoms appear outside your period and can therefore be confused with other bowel problems.Discover other symptoms of endometriosis.
The cause of intestinal endometriosis is not fully known, but during menstruation, cells containing blood in the uterus can return to the tubes and spread to other organs in the abdomen, probably reaching the intestinal wall because it is an organ very close to the uterus.Other causes may be associated with hormonal imbalance, especially the hormone estrogen.
Some doctors even associate the onset of intestinal endometriosis with previous surgery on the uterus, which can spread endometrial cells to the abdominal wall and reach the intestine.
However, people who have a close family member, such as a mother or sister with intestinal endometriosis, may have an increased risk of developing the same disease.
In some cases, endometriosis can be confused with intestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis and Crohn’s disease, so to confirm the diagnosis it is necessary to identify the location and extent of endometriosis in the intestine and it is necessary to perform certain tests. , as:
Colonoscopy isn’t always indicated by the gynecologist, as it’s a test that evaluates the inner part of the intestine and, more often, intestinal endometriosis occurs in the outer walls of the intestine, however, you may wonder if your doctor suspects deep intestinal endometriosis or losing other bowel diseases.See tests for endometriosis diagnosis.
The main type of treatment used to treat intestinal endometriosis is surgery, whose endometrial tissue is removed from the intestinal wall, relieving symptoms and improving a woman’s fertility.
Most surgeries are done by video, but in some situations, traditional surgery is necessary, depending on the severity and bowel areas affected by endometriosis.Learn more about endometriosis surgery.
The gynecologist and digestive tract surgeon will do an evaluation before surgery, as this is how they will plan the surgery and define the follow-up of treatment after surgery.
The gynecologist may indicate other types of treatment, primarily medications to regulate hormones and relieve symptoms, such as birth control and anti-inflammatory pills, patches, and injections.
In addition to the use of medications, other types of more natural treatments may be indicated, such as acupuncture, which stimulates the nerves and the production of certain substances in the body to relieve pain.
Eating foods containing omega-3s such as fish, nuts and extra virgin olive oil reduces inflammation and stimulates the body’s defenses and therefore helps relieve symptoms of intestinal endometriosis.
There are natural extracts, such as turmeric and green tea, that also have an anti-inflammatory effect on the body and may improve symptoms of intestinal endometriosis, however treatment with extracts should be done under the direction of a herbalist and under the supervision of a gynecologist.
In addition, emotional stress releases substances that cause inflammation into the body, so stress-reducing activities help treat intestinal endometriosis.Learn to fight stress.
Even after surgery to remove tissue from the endometrium in the intestine, the disease may recur, so a follow-up with a gynecologist and regular checkups are needed.
In some cases, women with intestinal endometriosis may also have endometriosis in the outer lining of the uterus, making it difficult for women to conception.Learn more about pregnancy for endometriosis.