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Intestinal endometriosis is a disease in which the endometrium, which is the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, grows in the intestine making it difficult to function properly and causing symptoms such as changes in bowel habits and severe abdominal pain, especially during menstruation.
When the cells of the endometrium are found only on the outside of the intestine, intestinal endometriosis is called superficial, but when it penetrates the inner wall of the intestine, it is classified as deep endometriosis.
In the mildest cases, in which the endometrial tissue has not spread much, the treatment indicated by the doctor consists of the use of hormonal remedies, however, in the most severe cases, the doctor may recommend the performance of surgery to reduce the amount of endometrial tissue. and thus relieve symptoms.
Main symptoms
In most cases, intestinal endometriosis does not cause symptoms, but when they are present, some women may report:
- Difficulty evacuating;
- Pain in the abdomen during intimate contact;
- Pain in the lower abdomen;
- Persistent diarrhea;
- Persistent pain during menstruation;
- Presence of blood in the stool.
When symptoms of intestinal endometriosis exist, they can get worse during menstruation, but as it is also common for them to appear outside the menstrual period they are often confused with other intestinal problems.
Thus, if there is a suspicion of intestinal endometriosis, it is advisable to consult a gastroenterologist to confirm the diagnosis and start treatment as soon as possible, because in the most severe cases, the endometrium may grow exaggeratedly and obstruct the intestine, causing severe constipation, in addition to severe pain.
Possible causes
The cause of intestinal endometriosis is not fully known, but during menstruation the blood with endometrial cells can, instead of being eliminated by the cervix, return in the opposite direction and reach the intestinal wall, in addition to affecting the ovaries, causing ovarian endometriosis. Know the symptoms and how to treat endometriosis in the ovary.
In addition, some doctors associate the occurrence of intestinal endometriosis with previous surgeries done in the uterus, which can end up spreading endometrial cells in the abdominal cavity and affecting the intestine. However, women who have close family members, such as a mother or sister, with intestinal endometriosis, may be more at risk of developing the same disease.
How to confirm the diagnosis
To confirm the diagnosis of intestinal endometriosis, the gastroenterologist will recommend imaging tests such as transvaginal ultrasound, computed tomography, laparoscopy or opaque enema, which will also help rule out other intestinal diseases that may have similar symptoms such as irritable bowel syndrome, appendicitis and Crohn's disease, for example. See how these tests are done to diagnose intestinal endometriosis.
How the treatment is done
Treatment for intestinal endometriosis should be indicated by the gastroenterologist according to the symptoms presented by the person and the severity of the endometriosis, and in most cases surgery to remove the endometrial tissue located in the intestine is indicated, which helps to alleviate the symptoms.
Most surgeries are performed without major cuts, only by laparoscopy with the introduction of surgical instruments through small cuts in the belly. But in some situations, traditional surgery may be necessary in which a larger incision is made in the abdomen, but this choice is only made after analyzing the areas of the intestine that are affected by endometriosis. Check out more about surgery for endometriosis.
After surgery, it may be necessary for treatment to continue with anti-inflammatory drugs and hormonal regulators such as pills, patches, contraceptive injections or use of the IUD, in addition to the need to follow up with a gynecologist and have tests regularly to monitor recovery and observe that the endometrial tissue does not grow back in the intestine.