Best Endometriosis Specialist In Kenya
Endometriosis is one of the main causes of infertility among women. It is a common and often painful chronic condition in reproductive-aged women. It appears after puberty and always ends at the time of menopause, due to lack of ovarian hormones.
Types of endometriosis
- Internal – When the uterine tissue grows inside of the myometrium it is called Adenomyosis or internal endometriosis.
- External – When the uterine tissue grows outside of the uterus it is called external endometriosis. The uterine tissue can be found almost in every part and organ of the body, but it is more common in the ovaries, peritoneum, rectum, intestine, vagina, vulva, bladder, and liver.
What Causes Endometriosis?
There are several theories as to the cause of endometriosis, but none has been established with certainty.
The principal theories include:
- Retrograde menstruation through the fallopian tubes leading to abnormal implantation of endometrial tissue in the pelvis.
- Spread of endometrial tissue in the blood vessels and lymphatics. Endometrial cells are carried from the uterus to other areas of the body via lymphatics and blood vessels.
- The ability of cells in the pelvic cavity to develop into endometrial tissue.
- A faulty immune system that is unable to detect and destroy endometrial tissue outside of the uterus.
What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
Symptoms are wide-ranging and diverse, the disease can present itself in many different ways, varying from woman to woman.
- Heavy(Menorrhagia), irregular, painful periods.
- Pain during (Dyspareunia ) or after sexual intercourse.
- Lower back pain.
- Abdominal pain.
- Pain when passing urine.
- Bleeding from the bowel or the bladder during menstruation.
- Fertility problems.
- Long-term fatigue.
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Bloating.
- Migraines.
- Difficulty breathing.
How is endometriosis diagnosed?
Endometriosis is a difficult condition to diagnose for a variety of reasons :
- The symptoms of the condition are wide and differ from woman to woman.
- Symptoms share characteristics with other conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
A detailed medical history in combination with clinical examination will give clues as to whether you have endometriosis. Our Top Rated Surgeon, Prof. Rafique Parkar, asks questions about your period, the location and severity of pain you experience, whether sex causes discomfort, and whether you have bowel problems.
Additionally, pelvic examinations, transvaginal ultrasounds, and Magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) can help diagnose endometriosis.
Moreover, the only way to give a conclusive diagnosis is through surgery.
At KLASS, we use laparoscopic surgery to diagnose & excise pelvic endometriosis.
What is the best doctor to see for endometriosis?
Your first appointment will likely be with either your primary care physician or a gynecologist. If you’re seeking treatment for infertility, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in reproductive hormones and optimizing fertility (reproductive endocrinologist).
How do you permanently treat endometriosis?
The most common surgery approach is laparoscopy (keyhole surgery). Cysts of endometriosis on the ovaries (endometriomas), are unlikely to disappear on their own and generally cannot be treated with medicine. They may be removed surgically if they are causing symptoms or they are large.
Who removes endometriosis?
If endometriosis is suspected, laparoscopic surgery may be planned to diagnose and treat women with endometriosis. The surgeon removes any visible endometrial implants and scar tissue at the same time as the diagnostic procedure.
Does removing the womb get rid of endometriosis?
A hysterectomy is not something that can be reversed and is not a cure for endometriosis, as endometriosis by definition is outside the womb. As a hysterectomy cannot guarantee total loss of pain and symptoms, you will want to know what relief you may experience.