Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a common disorder that affects many women in New Zealand. It may be that up to 1 in 10 women are affected. It occurs when endometrial tissue, which should only be found in the uterus, also grows outside the uterus, such as on ovaries or the bowel. This can be very painful and is why women with endometriosis usually have pain around the same time as their period.
Symptoms
Common causes are medications containing oral hormones (estrogen, progestogen) such as contraceptive agents and other oral hormonal therapies.
Ectropion, endometriosis, and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can also be associated with inter-menstrual bleeding.
Persistent inter-menstrual bleeding may be caused by genital tract infections, polyps within the uterus or cervix, and rarely cancer of the cervix.
Treatment
If you have persistent intermenstrual bleeding, you should see your GP. First-step investigations may include an examination, pap smear, or vaginal ultrasound scan.
We can help
If you think you may have endometriosis and would like to talk to us about how we can help, please feel free to contact us. You can also request an appointment online.
Further reading
Related symptoms
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Commonly caused by hormone therapies, including oral contraceptives. Persistent bleeding may be due to genital tract infections, polyps, or cervical cancer.
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High volume, long-lasting periods with flooding, clotting or anaemia. Causes can include fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia, PCOS, infection, or endometriosis.
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Women may have problems with tubal blockage, endometriosis, ovulation, egg numbers or quality. Men may have issues with sperm quantity or quality.
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Causes include endometriosis, infection, instability of the lining of the womb, ovarian cysts, perimenopause, PCOS, polyps, and early pregnancy.
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Pain, discomfort or cramps around the time of menstruation. Can be due to prostaglandin production, or caused by endometriosis or adenomyosis.
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Defined as pelvic pain lasting more than 6 months. Causes can include ovarian cysts and urinary tract infections, but can be elusive and hard to diagnose.
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Periods that last more than 7 days. Causes include fibroids, polyps, hyperplasia or cancer of the uterus, PCOS, genital tract infection, and endometriosis.
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Causes include constipation, anal fissures, IBS and severe endometriosis. Extremely painful periods and pain with deep intercourse may also occur.
Treatments
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A procedure to remove a woman’s uterus. This can be achieved via either abdominal keyhole surgery, abdominal incision, or performed through the vagina.
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A small plastic contraceptive device is placed inside the uterus with strings extending out through the cervix. Can be used to treat adenomyosis and endometriosis.
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This entails keyhole surgery where a camera is placed through the belly button to view the pelvis, enabling abnormal tissue and cysts to be removed.