Endometriosis affects about 6 to 10% of all women. This condition develops when endometrial cells (lining of the uterus) for unknown reason migrate to different parts of the body (e.g. abdominal cavity, and start to grow there when periods occur.
The Main sites of implantation are ovaries, ligaments that support the uterus, and pace between the rectum and vagina or cervix. Rarely, small and large intestines, the ureters (tubes leading from the kidneys to the bladder), the bladder, the vagina, and plural (covering membrane of the lungs). Also, this tissue can spread and occur in different places at once. This tissue may bleed and cause pain before and during the period.
Symptoms
The main symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic and abdominal pain, intensifying specifically before and during the period (occurs regularly), or painful sexual intercourse.
Other symptoms include:
abdominal bloating, pain during bowel movements, diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleeding during menstruation.
pain during urination, urine that contains blood, and a frequent and urgent need to urinate.
Formation of a blood-filled mass (endometrioma), which may rupture or leak, causing sudden, sharp abdominal pain. Sometimes scar tissue may formate and restrict the function (movement=motility) of the nearby organ.
Causes
the actual cause of endometriosis is still unclear, but there are few theories that can be divided into three groups:
transplant theory assuming the movement of menstrual blood through e.g. fallopian tubes into the peritoneal cavity, i.e. retrograde menstruation;
metaplasia theory, in which undifferentiated cells are attributed to the ability to transform under the influence of various factors into endometrial cells;
induction theories combining elements of the above-mentioned hypotheses.
The influence of both genetic factors and the activity of the immune system seems to be important, the failure of which may be very important in the formation of endometriosis. Unfortunately, despite many years of research and significant scientific progress, the etiopathogenesis of the disease remains unexplained.
Treatment
Usually involves hormonal therapy, painkillers (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) and lastly surgery, when misplaced endometrial tissue form e.g. ovaries is removed, in some cases the uterus or the uterus and the ovaries.
MLT treatment - patient case
Finally, I will present a case of 32 years old, female, office worker, who reported to me at the end of January 2020 for treatment of endometrial cysts. Through regular gynecologist check-ups, the practitioner discovered USG scan endometrial cysts on both ovaries. Seven cysts (together) on both ovaries. The patient refused conventional medication due to potential side effects.
We scheduled 5 treatments - once a week. Leeches were applied to the lower abdomen. Through the course of MLT patient period was less painful, periodic blood looked "healthier" - as the patient described it.
After the course of MLT, the patient had an abdominal USG scan, which revealed a reduction of cysts from 7 to 1 on the left ovary.
Bibliography:
https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/endometriosis/endometriosis
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