Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Endometriosis
Group F
Ovaries,
Uterine Ligaments,
Rectovaginal Septum
Pelvic Peritoneum.
The cause of endometriosis is unknown; however, there are risk factors. Misplaced
tissue responds to hormones as normal and bleeding occurs, the blood however,
does not have a way out like in normal menstrual cycle. The bleeding irritates
surrounding areas causing inflammation and pain.
Risk Factors
Never giving birth Low BMI
Starting period at an early Alcohol consumption
age Medical condition that prevents
the normal passage of menstrual
Going through menopause
flow out of the body
at an older age Examples:
Short menstrual cycles Uterine abnormalities
High levels of estrogen in
your body
Treatment Options
Medical Management
NSAIDs
Hormonal therapy
Surgical Treatment
Removal of lesions via
laparoscopy procedure and
laser treatment
Hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-
oophorectomy
Therapeutic Management
Heat therapy
Relaxation techniques
Emotional support
Chocolate Cysts and Treatment
Known as Ovarian Endometriomas
Cyst is filled with old blood that appears brown
Three theories to the cause
1. invagination of ovarian cortex secondary to bleeding of a superficial implant
2. invagination of ovarian cortex secondary to metaplasia of coelmic
epithelium in cortical inclusion cysts
3. endometriotic transformation of functional cyst
Diagnosis
Gold Standard: laparoscopy
Vaginal ultrasound
Treatment
Medications: Danzol or GnRH
Surgical removal
Endometriosis and Cancer
Ovarian cancer
Studies suggest that endometriosis increases the risk of ovarian cancer
Women who had endometriosis present on the ovary had the highest risk
of ovarian cancer
The overall lifetime risk is low to begin with
Endometriosis-associated adenocarcinoma
Another rare form of cancer that can develop later in life in women who
have had endometriosis
The most common type of adenocarcinoma
Made up of cells that look much like the normal uterine lining
(endometrium)
Resources for Support
- SHARE Cancer Support
- Support network of breast and ovarian cancer
survivors
- Community of women who have been affected
- Helpline: 844-ASK-SHARE
- Teals the Deal Foundation
- Raise awareness about Gynecological Cancers
- Provide education about symptoms and
treatment options
- Support those fighting against cancer
- Contact: 801-923-TEAL
Endometriosis Staging
Staged based on location,
amount, size, and depth of
endometrial implants
Classified into one of four
stages:
Stage I: Minimal
Stage II: Mild
Stage III: Moderate
Stage IV: Severe
Successful treatments in reducing pain from
endometriosis
- Pharmacological - Surgical treatment
- NSAIDS (short-term)
- Opioids
- Laporoscopy
- Birth control methods
- Non-pharmacological - Laparotomy
- Heating pads
- Hysterectomy
- Exercise
- Rest
Practice Question #1
Risk Factors for Endometriosis
Four women presented to a clinic with severe abdominal pain. Based on your
knowledge of the disease, which woman is most at risk for developing
endometriosis?
You are a nurse taking care of a 31-year-old woman who was just diagnosed
with stage III endometriosis. She is recently married and is actively attempting
to become pregnant. Which topics would be important to include in your
teaching plan for this patient? Select all the apply.
Carnahan, M., Fedor, J., Agarwal., A., & Gupta, S. (2013). Ovarian endometrioma. Retrieved from:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/777490_2
Durham, R., & Chapman, L. (2014). Maternal-newborn nursing: The critical components of nursing
care (2nd ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2014). Endometriosis. Office on Womens Health. Retrieved from
https://www.womenshealth.gov/files/assets/docs/fact-sheets/endometriosis.pdf