Endometriosis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the female reproductive system, has become more widely recognized in recent years. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this condition, in which tissue similar to the endometrium grows outside the uterus, is estimated to affect 5-10% of women and adolescents of reproductive age (15-49 years) worldwide, affecting approximately 190 million people.
Additionally, there is also something called intestinal endometriosis, which is a type of endometriosis that occurs when tissue that normally grows inside the uterus spreads to other parts of the body, including the intestines. Dr Mahua Bhattacharya, consultant gynaecologist at Fortis Hospital, Anandapur , explained the condition in more detail to the OnlyMyHealth team
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What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to that lining and growing inside the uterus grows outside the uterus and spreads to other areas of the pelvis, causing pain and discomfort.
Endometriosis is a condition characterized by the growth of endometrial tissue in the rectum, large intestine, or other parts of the intestinal tract, she added.
How common is intestinal endometriosis?
According to a 2020 study published in the International Journal of Women’s Health , 10-12% of women of reproductive age have endometriosis, of which 5-12% have intestinal endometriosis, with the rectum and sigmoid colon accounting for up to 90% of intestinal lesions.
There are two types of endometriosis: superficial endometriosis and deep endometriosis.
According to WebMD, superficial endometriosis grows on the surface of the intestine, while deep endometriosis invades the intestinal wall.
Read more: Does endometriosis increase your risk of cancer? Here’s what experts say
Common symptoms of endometriosis
According to Dr. Bhattacharya, the most common symptoms of intestinal endometriosis are:
- Irregular or painful bowel movements (constipation)
- Indigestion or bloating
- Pelvic pain
- Lower back pain
- Rectal bleeding
- Abdominal cramps
- Pain or discomfort during sex, before or after menstruation
- Severe discomfort during bowel movements
The doctor stresses that endometriosis can be confused with other gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), because the symptoms are similar, but the frequency and intensity of the pain can help differentiate between the two, she says, adding that with intestinal endometriosis, patients may experience intense pain right around the menstrual cycle, while those with IBS and most other gastrointestinal disorders may experience pain multiple times a week for a month.
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you suspect you have intestinal endometriosis, it’s best to consult a doctor, this is especially important for people who have had endometriosis before.
“A physical exam, including a vaginal and rectal exam to check for nodular Douglas pouch and rectal lesions, is often the first step in diagnosing intestinal endometriosis,” says Dr. Bhattacharya. However, doctors may ask patients to undergo other tests to assess the severity of the condition. These may include MRI, ultrasound, laparoscopy, colonoscopy, and barium enema.”
Doctors concluded that treatment usually includes medication to suppress symptoms, hormone therapy to slow the growth of endometrial tissue, and surgery such as bowel resection, rectal curettage, or discectomy to remove damaged tissue.
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