Patient's question:
I have been experiencing menstrual cramps since my last painless abortion. The pain has been getting worse with each cycle, and the worst time I had was rolling around in bed in agony. Yesterday, I couldn't bear it anymore and went to the hospital for a thorough examination. The doctor said I have endometriosis.Doctor's answer:
Endometriosis is a prominent symptom of dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is a common and mild symptom, mostly secondary, meaning it begins after the onset of endometriosis, with no pain during previous menstrual periods but starting to appear from a certain period. It can occur before, during, or after menstruation. Some dysmenorrhea is so severe that it requires bed rest or medication to alleviate it. The pain often worsens with the menstrual cycle. Due to continuously high estrogen levels, the ectopic endometrium proliferates and swells. If further influenced by progesterone, it breaks down, stimulating local tissues, leading to pain. If it is internal endometriosis, it can even force the uterus to contract, making the dysmenorrhea even more pronounced. In cases where the ectopic tissue does not break down, the dysmenorrhea may be caused by blood surging. After menstruation, the ectopic endometrium gradually