Teenagers endometriosis exists and based on retrospective studies its prevalence can be as high as 70%. Endometriosis in adolescents represents a sensitive category, because most of them have their symptoms often ignored by doctors, parents and teachers.
What is endometriosis?
Endometriosis is defined as the presence of tissues similar to endometrial tissues outside the uterine cavity. There are various theories on how endometriosis is caused and so far the only one that covers all places where endometriosis can be found is the Mulleriosis theory.
What is teenagers endometriosis?
Endometriosis is a disease that can affect people with uterus of all ages. In the literature we find cases of endometriosis in newborn babies and in menopausal women. Oestrogen dependent endometriosis is a chronic condition. Teenagers endometriosis is endometriosis in people of a young age.
Teenagers’ endometriosis symptoms?
Most endometriosis sufferers have started their symptoms from a young age. When they do complain of painful periods, they learn that menstrual pain is normal and that unfortunately, nothing can be done. This is one of the reasons that leads to delay the diagnosis of endometriosis for several years. Thus, they end up living in pain and missing school as a result. Menstrual pain can have a negative impact on anyone. In the case of teenage girls, education can be affected as a result of school absenteeism or dropping out of school.
Endometriosis can cause painful periods, symptoms can start before, during or after the period. Other symptoms are pain during ovulation, fatigue, lower back pain, intestinal transit disturbances, and if the adolescent is sexually active, depending on the type of disease, it can also cause pain during sexual contact.
How is endometriosis in adolescents managed?
Due to their age, endometriosis needs to be treated carefully. Symptoms can be managed with painkillers and birth control pills where applicable. In terms of the best treatment method, excision remains the surgical method. As proven so far excision provides good long-term results and should be performed by a surgeon experienced in endometriosis surgery.
