Endometriosis is a condition where the uterine blood lining that typically grows inside the uterus starts to grow outside it.
In a healthy female body, the endometrium blood lining grows inside the uterus and sheds out through the vaginal opening during menstruation. However, in endometriosis, instead of flowing out, this menstrual blood starts to deposit around the small intestine, rectum, fallopian tubes, ovaries, fundas, and other body organs in the abdomen. With no way out, these blood deposits start to swell, causing unbearable pain, heaviness, exertion, fever, and at times, blood in the vomit. It also severely degrades a woman’s fertility by affecting both- the health and patency of the fallopian tubes.
While the exact cause of endometriosis is uncertain, reverse menses, that is, retrograde menstrual flow is the most commonly agreed upon medical theory.
This understanding holds that while the endometrium responds to the hormones just as it should in a normal cycle and proliferates and enlarges during ovulation, it reverses its direction during menstruation. That is, instead of only flowing out of the vaginal opening, it reverses and flows inside the abdomen and creates layers of microscopic blood deposits across different organs around the uterus.
Grade I
Grade II
Grade III
Grade IV
Laparoscopy is the only successful diagnostic test for endometriosis (unless the patient develops an endometrioma cyst which can be diagnosed through an ultrasound).
Procedure: As the name suggests, it is performed using a laparoscope, that is, a tiny catheter-like instrument with a camera and lens on its end.
Once you are under the influence of anesthesia, the doctor makes a minor keyhole in the abdominal areas and injects carbon dioxide gas to lift it above the small intestines and create space for the procedure. Then, the laparoscope is inserted to provide a high-definition view of the internal organs on a digital monitor. This imaging helps provide the exact status of endometriosis, its severity, and grade.
If needed, the laparoscopy test may be combined with the corresponding treatment.
Endometriosis grade 1 is the first stage of endometriosis with only minimum to mild symptoms of pain felt during menstruation.
Typically, the pain can be relieved through medications and hormone therapy.
The risks and complications during the surgical treatment for endometriosis depend directly on the kind of treatment method used.
Consult your gynecologist as soon as you experience :
Symptoms of Grade I endometriosis can be managed through pain killers and oral contraceptives. The OC pills help halt ovulation through hormonal control. With no ovulation, the endometrium lining stops growing and in turn, provides the body a rest period. With this rest, the body heals itself and gradually absorbs the microscopic blood deposits to help control the pain and cluster symptoms.
For similar results, the doctor may also suggest hormone therapy.
However, note that this is not a long-term treatment. Hormonal medications must not be taken for longer than five years. Else, they pose a risk to lipid profile and increase the chances of heart-related diseases.
Typically, doctor consultations and medications for endometriosis cost an average of INR 2000- INR 3000 in India.
Yes, insurance covers the surgical treatment cost for endometriosis. However, fertility treatments are an exception. That is, all surgical options such as LAPEX, laparoscopy and ablation, ovarian cystectomy, or LAPEX and hysterectomy are covered under insurance as they fall under the ‘medically necessary’ list of treatments. However, fertility treatments such as recanalization, IVF, and ICSI are voted out because of their classification under treatments taken out of voluntary choice.
Insurance coverage and the treatment cost capping varies case to case. Please confirm the same from your healthcare or insurance provider.
For laparoscopic surgeries, the recovery period runs around 3-5 days. Whereas open-cut surgeries require a rest period of a minimum of 2 weeks.
While surgical treatments of endometriosis, such as laparoscopy and ablation, LAPEX, or ovarian cystectomy, do provide immediate and long-term relief, the chances of recurrence remain. This is why, if you desire child-birth, fertility treatments must be taken up with immediate effect.
As for the long-term, LAPEX and hysterectomy, that is, excising every endometrial blood deposit in the abdomen while removing the uterus permanently, remains the only definite resolve.
Mrs. S (28 years, Hyderabad) approached us with complaints of frequent intermenstrual pain and cramping. She reported she had also recently developed a starking abdominal pain on the left side of her abdomen. Her ultrasound report confirmed endometrioma (chocolate cyst) on her left ovary, that is, the grade IV of endometriosis.
After being guided on her condition, possible risks, complications, and problems with fertility, we recommended performing both- laparoscopic ovarian cystectomy for cyst removal and patency tests and treatments for fallopian tubes.
Dr. Juhul Patel successfully removed the endometrioma cyst while burning the different blood deposits in her abdomen through ablation. Thereafter, blockages in her tubes were removed through chromopertubation and recanalization to aid natural conception. However, the natural conception did not work as smoothly for her.
After six months of failed conception, ICSI (assisted reproductive technology) was performed. The treatment was a success, and the couple is now parent to a young, healthy baby girl.
How common is endometriosis?
More than 190 million women suffer from endometriosis worldwide.
Which type of doctor treats endometriosis?
Endometriosis is best treated by a gynecologist. At times, both- a gynecologist and endocrinologist, or general surgeon may work together to treat some of the co-morbidities such as thyroid, diabetes, etc.
What are the best medications for endometriosis?
The typical medications prescribed for endometriosis include birth control, pain killers, and hormone therapies. These halt ovulation and endometrial proliferation while the body rests and absorbs the existing blood deposits over the abdomen. However, they are not the best course of treatment because of their short-lived nature and commonly experienced side effects.
What are the common side effects of birth control medications?
Birth control pills take an average of 3 weeks to 3 months to properly adjust to the body. During this time, many patients report extreme mood swings, bloating, intermenstrual bleeding, nausea, drowsiness, and more. Also, they must not be taken for longer than five years, or they may risk heart-related diseases.
Pristyn Care brings the most advanced and holistic gyne treatments with its experienced doctors and latest laparoscopic and laser technology in 15+ cities in India. We are associated with multiple reputed gyne-clinics and super-specialty hospitals, giving you the option to choose amongst the best hospitals that suit your needs, be it the hospital distance, its infrastructure, or insurance panel.
As you choose Pristyn Care for your treatments, you get some of the added benefits. These include:
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Simply call us directly or fill out our ‘Book my Appointment’ form. It would ask you just four basic questions such as ‘Your name’, ‘Contact’, ‘Disease name’, and ‘City’. Just fill them and click ‘submit’. Our medical coordinators will call you shortly and help you speak to a doctor of your choice.