Endometriosis: Diagnosis and management: NICE guideline, No. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. We link primary sources - including studies, scientific references, and statistics - within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Medical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. However, the more endometriosis develops and spreads, the higher the risk of developing cysts or blocked tubes. The staging does not reflect how much pain a person is feeling. Not everyone with endometriosis experiences symptoms. Is it possible to have stage 4 endometriosis without symptoms? They found that roughly 2% of people with the condition have stage 4 endometriosis. Researchers did a systematic review and meta-analysis of multiple studies on endometriosis from January 1990 to December 2018. In a 2021 review, researchers explain that most people with endometriosis receive a diagnosis at stage 1. Hormonal treatments may stop the endometriosis from progressing into more severe stages. Treatments include hormonal medication and pain relievers. However, doctors can prescribe treatments to help the person manage their symptoms. No, endometriosis is not curable at any stage. This section answers some frequently asked questions about stage 4 endometriosis and its symptoms. When the treatment stops, the person may have a better chance of getting pregnant.ĭoctors may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, or prescribe medications for stronger pain relief. GnRH causes a temporary menopause, interrupting the implants’ growth and reducing symptoms. Birth control pills can reduce hormone levels and help prevent endometriosis from growing.ĭoctors may also recommend gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), which works by suppressing ovulation and reducing estrogen levels Since endometriosis symptoms fluctuate with a person’s menstrual cycle, doctors may recommend birth control pills to people who are not wanting to get pregnant. Professionals will take the person’s age into account, as well as whether they want to have children and how much pain they are in. Treatments tend to be the same regardless of the stage of the condition. Doctors tailor their treatment plans to the person. There is no current cure for endometriosis, but treatments can help people manage symptoms. Treatment and management for stage 4 endometriosis At any stage, people can experience extreme pain that impacts their daily life. The staging system does not account for the severity of a person’s symptoms. People with stage 4 endometriosis may have numerous deep and superficial implants, large cysts on one or both ovaries, and multiple adhesions “sticking” organs together. The ASRM staging system requires doctors to record the number, location, depth, and size of any endometriosis implants to determine the stage. Growths and cysts can develop, blocking the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that bind the organs together. Over time, these can cause a buildup of scar tissue and adhesions. In extremely rare cases, it can affect a person’s skin, brain, and lungs.ĭoctors refer to the patches of endometriosis cells as implants, nodules, or lesions. peritoneum, the membrane that surrounds the abdominal cavity.ligaments that hold the uterus in place.The Office on Women’s Health explains that endometriosis usually starts in the pelvic cavity. The staging system may be useful for people who want to get pregnant, though.Īccording to a 2020 paper, people with stage 4 endometriosis may experience fertility challenges. This is because people with endometriosis experience the condition differently. This is because some people experience severe symptoms that need medical interventions at stage 1, while others can be virtually symptom-free at stage 4.įor example, a 2017 guideline from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that the staging system does not give doctors guidance about treatment plans or expected outcomes. However, some experts question the usefulness of this system in diagnosing people with endometriosis. Healthcare professionals still use them today. The four stages range from minimal to severe. In 1996, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) revised its staging system for endometriosis, which documents the extent and spread of the disease in a person’s body. Share on Pinterest Justin Paget/Getty Images
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