Endometriosis: The Unseen Pain Quiz

Answer: True

Endometriosis is a very painful condition when cells similar to the ones inside the lining of the uterus grow elsewhere. These cells can undergo menstruation cycles, and can cause heavier bleeding with intense pain. In some cases, endometriosis can fuse together other organs. Endometriosis can also cause infertility or lead to cancer.

As of 2008, it was estimated 89 million women have this disease.

Answer: seizures

Pain is the primary symptom doctors consider when trying to identify endometriosis. Usually females who have endometriosis have severe pain in their pelvic regions, and sometimes in their lower backs. Endometriosis can cause painful irregular menstruation cycles that have heavy or irregular bleeding.

The heavy bleeding and pain can also lead to fatigue and lack of energy, which can make an individual feel weak at doing some activities.

Answer: gynaecologist

Gynaecologists specialize in women's health and their reproductive organs. Most people are referred to a gynaecologist after seeing a doctor that specializes in general health.

Answer: all of these

Endometriosis is small, and usually cannot be found on these tests. However the presence of endometriosis can be suggested when results of these tests do not explain pain in the pelvic region. Most of these tests are done to make sure cancer is not the source of pain, and rule out other possibilities.

Answer: laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is surgery performed in the abdomen area with laparoscopes, and usually does not involve large incisions. Laparoscopes are telescopic devices with cameras that can see around the abdomen to diagnose diseases or find infected areas. Usually in cases of endometriosis, surgeons are able to operate on the problem during laparoscopy.

Answer: all of these

Birth control pills are used to reduce and stabilize menstruation cycles, which can reduce pain. Birth control pills are used to treat the symptoms of endometriosis and sometimes a doctor can pinpoint if the patient has endometriosis or not, based on how things improve within several months of taking the pill. Gonodotrophin releasing hormone does the same thing as birth control pills, except it may be given as an injection, an implant, or nasal spray.

It lowers estrogen levels by stopping the ovaries from functioning, which can cause a menopause. Long term use of the gonodotrophin releasing hormone can result in bone loss. Progestin is used to shrink endometriosis, but can result in irregular bleeding.

Answer: weight gain

Weight gain can increase the amount of endometriosis, and weight that is gained can cause more weight or pressure on the area of pain. Exercise can help by putting off some weight, and helping the body to become more fit. Diets can often cut out foods that trigger endometriosis pain, but should be approved by a doctor to make sure it will not conflict with any medicine taken. Common pain medicine that is found in stores can often give temporary relief from pain, but should also be approved by a doctor to make sure it will not harm the body.

Answer: False

Even if an individual has a hysterectomy (total surgical removal of the uterus), she will always have the risk of endometriosis reoccurring. Also if endometriosis shows up in a second generation, the symptoms can be very severe. As of 2008, there is still no known permanent cure for this disease, and little is known or about the cause or understood about the disease itself.

Answer: Yes

Endometriosis does not always respect age. Many of the people who get endometriosis can have it before they turn 20. The most common symptom of endometriosis in teenagers is pain during menstruation cycles, and irregular bleeding, and can often limit them in many activities. Endometriosis also puts pressure on teenagers because the many of their peers will not understand the disease or accept it.

Many doctors often hesitate putting a teenager through surgery to find endometriosis unless the pain is at an extreme level or there is a known emergency (such as a tumor), because of the teenager's age and their possible future opportunities that may be affected.

Answer: all of these

Endometriosis is usually not a disease most individuals feel they can explain or talk about because of the disease's connection with issues that deal with the reproductive system. Most individuals that have the disease will live with it on a long term basis, adjusting to many activities with the recognition they will be in pain, and on extreme level some will deal with the possibility they may never have a child. Having someone who is willing to learn about the disease and be willing to adjust to the individuals limits or needs is a gift.

In most cases, even a small talk is special.