Endometriosis is a chronic disease defined as the presence of glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Endometriosis can affect various areas in the body, but most frequently it is found in the pelvis. It’s a disease that can cause severe pain and complications. Due to retrograde menstruation theory, there are various myths about endometriosis.
Endometriosis causes
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown, however, there are various theories that explain how endometriosis occurs. One of the most postulated theories is Sampon theory. According to this theory, endometriosis is caused when the endometrial tissue that is shed during period, does not leave the pelvis, and it comes back in the pelvis through the fallopian tubes. This leads to formation of endometriosis tissues.
Another theory that better explains endometriosis formation is the Mulleriosis theory. According to this theory endometriosis is a disease that we are born with, hence why it can affect the whole body. Moreover, the endometriosis tissues and the endometrium are two different entities.
What are the most frequent myths about endometriosis?
Based on Sampson theory, endometriosis is considered a disease that affects only women who menstruate. As such, some treatment methods have been promoted as a cure for endometriosis. In reality though, these methods are acting like a bandaid. In some cases, they might improve symptoms, but do not cure the disease.
Myth 1: Pregnancy cures endometriosis.
A lot of patients are told to become pregnant, because that will help cure their endometriosis. In the past, Meigs, Sampons and other scholars recommended pregnancy as a therapeutic strategy for endometriosis. As such, pregnancy has become a frequent method of efficient prophylactic and curative measure against endometriosis.
In reality, pregnancy is not a cure for endometriosis and many endometriosis sufferers have reported that after giving birth their symptoms became worse.
Myth 2: Menopause cures endometriosis
Menopause is another method offered to patients as a cure, either surgical or medical. And is based on the same old theory, that endometriosis is a menstrual disease and menopause will cure it. In reality, there are studies that show that endometriosis can be found in menopausal patients as well.
Myth 3: Hysterectomy cures endometriosis.
Because endometriosis is considered a disease of the uterus, hysterectomy is also offered to patients as a cure method. Endometriosis is a disease found outside the uterus, and by removing it and leaving the disease in other areas, it will do nothing to endometriosis.
Excision is the only method that can address symptoms and remove endometriosis tissues efficiently.
