Contents
What is endometriosis
Cervical endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrium (the tissue that lines the inside of a woman’s uterus) grows outside of the uterus. This is a benign process, but causes serious discomfort and health problems, and can also lead to infertility.
Useful information about cervical endometriosis
| Prevalence | 3rd place after inflammation and uterine fibroids |
| Who is sick | women 25-40 years old |
| Symptoms | painful periods, pain during intercourse, weakness, anemia |
| Treatment | hormone-containing drugs, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodics |
Foci of endometriosis can vary in shape and size – from rounded formations only a few millimeters in size to shapeless growths up to several centimeters in diameter, cherry-colored, separated from surrounding tissues by whitish scars from connective tissue. Especially these foci become clearly visible on ultrasound before menstruation due to their cyclic maturation.
Causes of cervical endometriosis in women
Experts still argue about the causes of endometriosis of the cervix. Most tend to the so-called retrograde menstruation. According to this theory, during menstruation, particles of the endometrium, along with the blood flow, enter the abdominal cavity, attach to various organs and begin to develop there.
At the same time, during menstruation, when the endometrium should normally be shed from the uterus, microbleeds occur on other organs involved in the process, which leads to inflammation.
The following factors also affect the risk of cervical endometriosis in women:
- heredity;
- surgical interventions on the uterus that damage its mucous membrane (curettage, vacuum, cauterization of erosion, long-term wearing of an intrauterine device, etc.);
- hormonal disorders (especially during menopause);
- malfunction of the immune system;
- early onset of menstruation;
- inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- improperly selected contraceptives.
Symptoms of cervical endometriosis in women
In the early stages, endometriosis of the cervix can practically not manifest itself in any way, so it is very important to undergo regular examinations by a gynecologist in order to identify the disease at an early stage and immediately begin treatment. When the endometrium has already grown significantly, a woman may pay attention to the following symptoms:
- heavy and painful periods that may last longer than usual;
- increased body temperature during menstruation;
- bleeding and spotting between periods;
- pain and bleeding during intercourse;
- general weakness, dizziness, anemia;
- infertility (already as a consequence of endometriosis).
But itching with endometriosis, as a rule, is not observed. During menopause with endometriosis of the cervix, a woman may complain of nausea, cramps in the lower abdomen, uterine bleeding (pronounced or spotting), fatigue and poor health.
Treatment of cervical endometriosis in women
Although cervical endometriosis is a benign process, it must be treated as it can lead to infertility. In addition, symptoms such as heavy and painful menstruation, frequent uterine bleeding, may hide other pathologies – for example, endometrial hyperplasia, which, if left untreated, can develop into a malignant tumor.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of endometriosis of the cervix in women is carried out by a gynecologist. First, he collects an anamnesis of the disease, listens to the patient’s complaints, asks her about the nature of menstruation, the number of pregnancies and abortions, and past inflammatory and infectious diseases of the urogenital area. Next, the specialist proceeds to examine the patient on the gynecological chair, often at the same time video colposcopy is performed. With the help of a special device – a video colposcope – the doctor will carefully examine the condition of the cervix and vaginal mucosa, while detecting the smallest changes. The image itself is enlarged and displayed on the screen so that the specialist can evaluate the data obtained. Also, a transvaginal ultrasound of the pelvic organs and the abdominal cavity is usually prescribed to clarify the localization and extent of the spread of endometriosis.
In some cases, the doctor may prescribe additional examinations – hysterosalpinography (X-ray examination of the body of the uterus and fallopian tubes) or diagnostic laparoscopy (a small puncture is made under anesthesia in the abdominal region, where a flexible optical tube is inserted, with which the doctor examines the pelvic organs, sometimes they are immediately cauterized foci of endometriosis). Also, the doctor may prescribe an analysis for the level of hormones.
Modern treatments
Endometriosis of the cervix is a chronic disease that cannot be cured once and for all. But with the right therapy, the growth of the endometrium does not occur, and the woman does not experience any unpleasant symptoms.
Drug treatment of endometriosis of the cervix includes a course of hormone-containing drugs (prevent the growth of the endometrium, promote atrophy and rejection of existing foci), anti-inflammatory drugs and antispasmodics are also prescribed.
If medication does not help, the doctor may prescribe surgery. During laparoscopy, foci of endometriosis can be subjected to cryodestruction, exposure to a laser or radio waves.
The principles of treatment of endometriosis of the cervix are as follows:
- removal of the focus of endometriosis;
- decrease in the intensity of the pain syndrome (drug therapy);
- fertility treatment;
- prevention of progression;
- prevention of recurrence of the disease.
Treatment can be conservative (drug therapy) and if the latter is ineffective or if there are contraindications to it, surgical treatment is performed.
Prevention of endometriosis of the cervix at home
There is no specific prevention of endometriosis of the cervix in women. The main thing is to regularly (at least twice a year) undergo an examination by a gynecologist, and if there are any complaints, immediately consult a doctor. If you had to undergo some kind of surgical intervention affecting the uterus, then you need to monitor your health even more carefully, because the risk of developing endometriosis in this case increases. It is also necessary to treat all inflammatory and infectious diseases of the genitourinary system in a timely manner and to the end.
Popular questions and answers
We asked popular questions about endometriosis obstetrician-gynecologist, reproductive specialist Natalya Kalinina.
Can you get pregnant with endometriosis?
According to the localization of the process, the following types of endometriosis are distinguished:
● ovarian endometriosis – it manifests itself in the form of foci; endometrioid tissue on the surface of the organ or in its thickness, the formation of endometrioid cysts;
● pelvic peritoneum – a film covering the organs in the small pelvis;
● endometriosis of the body of the uterus and cervix – its manifestations: acyclic intermenstrual bleeding, heavy discharge during menstruation, pain.
Infertility, as a rule, occurs with the ovarian form of endometriosis. In this case, the so-called “chocolate” cysts replace normal ovarian tissue. The number of healthy follicles, sources of eggs, is reduced. Consequently, the possibility of their fertilization and the onset of pregnancy decreases.
Is it possible to put a spiral with endometriosis?
What drugs are prescribed for endometriosis?
In complex therapy, drugs that improve microcirculation, immunomodulators, vitamins, analgesics (painkillers) are used.
In case of infertility, if it is caused by endometriosis, you can use IVF – this method allows you to select high-quality eggs for fertilization from an ovary affected by endometriosis (with the size of “chocolate” cysts up to 4 – 4,5 cm) and preserve the woman’s ability to become a mother due to vitrification (freezing ) eggs, before radical surgical treatment.