Endometriosis, which is known to be a painful disorder, mainly involves fallopian tubes, ovaries and tissue lining the pelvic area. Women suffer from this disorder when endometriotic tissue unusually grows outside the uterus. People are aware of the fact that endometriosis causes excruciating pain in the pelvic area, however very few knows the fact that how endometriosis can affect the urinary system as well. This disease is termed as Urinary tract Endometriosis which is rarely diagnosed as it is asymptomatic. Endometriosis not only affects the reproductive organs but is known to be multi organ and inflammatory disease.
Women with this disease go to their gynaecologist with symptoms such as frequent urination, pelvic pain while urinating, and urinary tract infection (UTI). Endometriosis is classified into three categories.
Endometriosis on the surface of the bladder is known as superficial endometriosis.
Endometrioma is a condition in which endometrial tissue forms on the ovary. When endometrial tissue develops inside the bladder lining or wall, this is referred to as deep endometriosis.
It is a condition that affects the bladder, kidneys, and urethra in a significant way.
Unfortunately, urinary tract endometriosis (UTE) is usually asymptomatic and only manifests symptoms after the problem becomes severe. Although the exact aetiology of the sickness is unknown, many people believe it is caused by a genetic problem or a history of surgeries, necessitating prompt medical attention.
Urinary Tract Endometriosis manifests itself in a variety of ways, including:
When the bladder is full, it causes pain.
When passing pee, you may experience a burning or stinging sensation.
Pelvic discomfort
Urination on a regular basis
Urine with blood
Back pain in the lower back
Bladder overactivity
Doctors begin the diagnosis with a physical examination because it is suspected to be a hereditary illness. Urinalysis is also recommended by doctors to determine the severity of infection in the urethra or bladder. This type of test can also be used to detect urinary tract infections, which are caused by bacteria that have entered the urethra and spread to adjacent tissues, where they begin to proliferate.
Urinary tract infections affect about 20% of all women at some point in their lives.
Doctors can recommend imaging techniques such as ultrasound, which uses a transvaginal approach to scan and assess the abnormal area in order to diagnose the disease. Doctors may also recommend a more sensitive MRI scan.
Many people are misdiagnosed while undergoing tests for urinary tract endometriosis, such as urinary tract infections, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Uterine Fibroids, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
As a result, there is no natural treatment or prevention for this, but early detection and surgical intervention can help delay the disease’s course.
Treatment: A range of medications and surgical techniques can be used to address the disease. In the vast majority of situations, doctors advise surgical assistance to increase the odds of conceiving. The medical practitioner eliminates the layer of lesion on the organ using laparoscopy.
Doctors also use a multidisciplinary approach to treatment, with multiple doctors doing surgery depending on the extent of the cancer’s spread.