QUESTION: What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a common chronic gynecological condition in which the tissue that lines the inside of the uterine cavity begins to grow outside of it. Most often, this pathological process affects the pelvic organs, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and peritoneum, but in rare cases, lesions can also be found in more distant parts of the body.

The main and most frequent manifestation of this condition is intense pain during menstruation, which can significantly impair the quality of life and cannot be relieved by conventional painkillers. Also, patients often complain of painful sensations during sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, discomfort during urination or defecation, especially during critical days.

One of the serious consequences of the disease is its negative impact on a woman's reproductive function, as adhesions and inflammatory processes often become the cause of infertility. For an accurate diagnosis, doctors use a comprehensive approach, including a gynecological examination, pelvic ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging.

The gold standard for diagnosis and simultaneous treatment in complex cases remains laparoscopy, which allows for a visual assessment of tissue condition and removal of lesions. The therapeutic strategy is selected individually depending on the severity of symptoms, the woman's age, and her plans for motherhood.

For treatment, medical methods are used, such as hormonal drugs and combined oral contraceptives aimed at suppressing the activity of ectopic endometrium, and if necessary, surgical intervention is performed to remove pathological growths.