Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition that affects many women in their child-bearing age. This occurs when tissue akin to the endometrium, or the uterus lining, develops outside of the uterine cavity. Even when displaced, the tissue continues to respond to the body’s hormonal processes. It thickens and bleeds in the course of the menstrual cycle. With various available endometriosis treatments in Singapore (https://drngkailyn.com/conditions/endometriosis/), having an effective treatment plan in place should improve your quality of life. However, it is important that the condition is diagnosed accurately since many gynaecological disorders may have similar symptoms.
Symptoms That May Indicate Endometriosis and Other Health Conditions
Understanding the usual symptoms can help you identify when something is not right in your body and when to seek appropriate help. There are several signs of endometriosis that can be similar with other issues influencing the gynaecological and gastrointestinal system, so it is imperative that you are familiar with these overlapping symptoms. These include:
- Abdominal or Chronic Lower Back Pain
- Excessive Menstrual Bleeding
- Fatigue
- Pain during bowel movement or urination
- Pelvic Pain
Abdominal or Chronic Lower Back Pain. Back pain may indicate a lot of other conditions, particularly gastrointestinal issues and endometriosis. With endometriosis, the pain is usually felt immensely during menstruation.
Excessive Menstrual Bleeding. This is a symptom that is frequently experienced by women who suffer from endometriosis. Heavy periods, prolonged menstruation, or spotting between menstrual cycles are the common symptoms that may indicate endometriosis or a totally different gynaecological issue.
Fatigue. Due to the chronic inflammation and pain around the gynaecological or gastrointestinal area, the body can feel very exhausted. This symptom is not only specific to endometriosis and may be an underlying sign of other conditions.
Pain during bowel movement or urination. This symptom is shared by a number of conditions affecting the reproductive system, especially during menstruation, and the GI tract as it is often accompanied by bloating, constipation, and/or diarrhoea.
Pelvic Pain. The top reported symptom of endometriosis that is also associated with other conditions is pelvic pain. This often shows up throughout the course of the menstrual cycle. Endometriosis-related pelvic pain is a lot more severe and constant that it can be debilitating and interfere with daily routines.
Gynaecological Imposters: Overlapping conditions that are commonly mistaken for Endometriosis
Internal Uterine Disorders
Aside from endometriosis, there are a wide range of health conditions that can occur in the gynaecological system with symptoms that are similar to it. Two of the usual suspects are adenomyosis and uterine fibroids.
Adenomyosis has symptoms that are very much like endometriosis’ signs. There is also an overgrowth of the endometrium as well as swelling and bleeding during menstruation, leading to periods that are heavy, painful and prolonged (menorrhagia). The only difference with Adenomyosis is that the abnormal tissue stays within the uterus, embedded within its walls instead of spreading outside. Because of this striking similarity, Adenomyosis is often called “Endometriosis’ sister.”
Uterine Fibroids are benign muscular cysts that form inside the uterine wall. These unusual growths can cause pain in the pelvic region, depending on their location and size. Like endometriosis, the tumors can lead to heavy menstrual bleeding.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Endometriosis is usually misdiagnosed as a digestive system problem because its lesions often instill on the bowel, which tend to copy symptoms of many gastrointestinal disorders, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a specific category of autoimmune conditions that bring long-term inflammation and damage to the GI tract. IBD disorders, like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, have symptoms that overlap with intense and deeply penetrating endometriosis. This includes severe cramping in the abdomen, fatigue, persistent diarrhoea, and weight loss.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), characterised by bloating, chronic abdominal pain, cramping, constipation and/or diarrhoea, is the most common GI tract disorder that erroneously replaces what should be an endometriosis diagnosis due to its comparable symptoms.
Neuromuscular and Urological Conditions
Symptoms that arise in the pelvic area, which actually point to endometriosis, may also indicate other neuromuscular and urological conditions as these may develop within the co-dependent organisation of muscles, nerves, and organs where signs of endometriosis are typically felt. Examples of neuromuscular and urological conditions are interstitial cystitis (IC) and pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD).
Interstitial Cystitis, commonly known as Painful Bladder Syndrome (PBS), is a recurring condition defined by persistent pain in the pelvis and bladder pressure or discomfort. It also comes with the urgent need to urinate frequently. The tissue overgrowth causing endometriosis can implant on the bladder, which can lead to symptoms identical to interstitial cystitis. One key factor that sets interstitial cystitis from endometriosis is pain that particularly becomes worse when the bladder becomes filled and only feels relief when the bladder is emptied.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction (PFD) is a collective term for various conditions brought about by pelvic floor muscles that are either extremely tense or inaccurately coordinated. The continuous pain felt in the pelvis is a symptom common to both pelvic floor dysfunction and endometriosis. This symptom leads to the pelvic floor muscles’ constant tensing. Because of the non-stop tension of the muscles in the pelvic floor, PFD can form symptoms that can be mistaken for endometriosis as these also affect the function of the bowel, bladder, and reproductive organs.
Importance of an accurate diagnosis and endometriosis treatment in Singapore
Since many symptoms of endometriosis are identical to other conditions affecting the gynaecological and gastrointestinal systems, it is crucial to get the correct diagnosis in order to achieve effective results and reduce your suffering. The precise diagnosis of this condition will allow your doctor to plan the right treatment for you.
Endometriosis Treatment in Singapore
There are many accessible endometriosis treatments in Singapore depending on how severe your condition is.
Hormonal Treatment
Hormonal treatments are normally considered first when treating endometriosis. These medications are given to curb symptoms and impede the progression of the condition. Hormonal treatments taken long-term, unless you want to become pregnant or you reach menopause since the overgrowth of tissue can recur any time. Medications used for endometriosis treatment in Singapore include combined birth control pills and progestogen therapies, such as injections, oral medications (Visanne), and progestogen-releasing devices (Mirena IUD).
Surgical Treatment
For severe symptoms or concerns with infertility, your doctor may recommend surgery. A minimally invasive procedure that is often recommended for endometriosis treatment in Singapore is laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. This procedure is done by excising endometriosis lesions and removing ovarian cysts. In addition, anti-adhesion barriers may be placed to lessen the probability of scar tissue formation after the surgical procedure.
If you are unsure whether the symptoms you are experiencing points to endometriosis or a different condition, reach out to a reputable gynaecologist.
Aster Gynaecology – Dr Ng Kai Lyn
38 Irrawaddy Rd, #06-58
Mt Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
Singapore 329563
+65 6635 2100
