Endometriosis Flashcards
What is endometriosis
Ectopic endometrial tissue outside the uterus
What is a lump of endometrial tissue outside the uterus
endometrioma
What are choclate cysts
Endometriomas in ovaries
What is adenomyosis
endometrial tissue within myometrium of uterus (muscle)
Theories for what causes endometriosis
There is a genetic component but none found to directly cause
Retrograde menstruation through fallopian tubes
Embryonic cells -> endometrial tissue outside uterus
Endometrial cells through lymphatic system
Cells outside uterus metaplasia -> endometrial tissue
Why is pelvic pain the main symptoms of endometriosis?
Cells of endometrial tissue respond to hormones the same way as in uterus - sheds lining and bleeds -> irritation and inflammation of tissues around endometriosis
Type of pain in menstruation with endometriosis
Cyclical, dull, heavy or burining pain
Can blood in the urine or stools be caused by endometriosis
In bladder or bowel
What causes chronic cyclical pain in endometriosis
Local bleeding and inflammation -> adhesions, scar tissue
Pain ass with sharp, stabbing or pulling + nausea
Why might endometriosis cause infertility
Sometimes unclear
Adhesions blocking tubes or ovaries - release of eggs
Damage eggs if adhesions in ovaries
Endometriosis presentation
Asymptomatic
Cyclical abdominal or pelvic pain
Deep dyspareunia - pain on deep sexual intercourse
Dysmenorrhoea
Infertility
Cyclical bleeding from other sites eg haematuria
What other systems can have symptoms from endometriosis
Urinary, bowel
What is seen on sepculum exam in endometriosis
Endometrial tissue visible, particuarly in posterior fornix, tenderness vagina, cervix and adnexa
What see on bimanual exam in endometriosis
Fixed cervix on bimanual examination
What can see on pelvic US endometriossi
Often unremarkable
Large endometriomas and chcolate cysts
