Skin-related endometriosis: Symptoms, reasons, and images explained
Cutaneous Endometriosis, a type of endometriosis that affects the skin, can be a puzzling condition for many. This article aims to shed light on the causes, symptoms, and treatment options for this condition.
Causes
There are two types of cutaneous endometriosis: primary and secondary.
Primary cutaneous endometriosis, which is rare, occurs spontaneously in the skin or subcutaneous tissue outside the pelvic cavity. It might arise from metaplasia (transformation) of pluripotent cells or from lymphatic/vascular dissemination of endometrial cells to the skin.
Secondary cutaneous endometriosis, on the other hand, is more common and usually develops at surgical scar sites following gynecologic or obstetric procedures such as cesarean sections. This type results from iatrogenic transplantation of endometrial tissue into the skin during surgical procedures.
Symptoms
Cutaneous endometriosis may cause a firm mass or lump under the skin, pain in sync with menstruation, swelling of the mass, bleeding from the affected areas, and changes in color (blue, black, brown, or red).
Treatment
Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment for cutaneous endometriosis to completely remove the lesion and prevent recurrence, especially for abdominal wall or scar endometriosis. Hormonal therapy can be used as adjunct or alternative treatment to reduce symptoms by suppressing estrogen, which fuels endometrial tissue growth.
Common hormonal therapies include combination estrogen-progestin birth control pills, progestin-only birth control, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or antagonists, and others like danazol. These therapies aim to inhibit estrogen’s stimulating effect on ectopic endometrial tissue, making lesions atrophy and become dormant, though they do not necessarily eliminate the lesions completely.
Outlook
The outlook for people with cutaneous endometriosis is generally good, with a low chance of recurrence after surgical removal. In one study, only 3 of 33 people had a recurrence following their surgery.
Diagnosis and Consultation
If you develop a lesion on your skin that you cannot explain, especially if symptoms worsen around your menstrual period or a skin lesion develops a few years following pelvic surgery, it's essential to speak with a healthcare professional. Diagnosis of cutaneous endometriosis often starts with a visit to a healthcare professional and may involve a biopsy of the affected skin, discussion of past medical procedures, and additional testing like CT scan or MRI scan.
In summary, understanding cutaneous endometriosis can help individuals make informed decisions about their health. While it can be a challenging condition, with the right diagnosis and treatment, many people can manage their symptoms effectively. Always consult with a healthcare professional for accurate information and guidance.
- Cutaneous endometriosis, a type of medical condition, can be linked to science due to research being conducted to understand its causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
- Endometriosis is one of the many health-and-wellness issues that particularly affecting women's health, including skin-care concerns related to this condition.
- Surgical excision and hormonal therapy are common treatment options for endometriosis, which may also have implications for the broader field of health-and-wellness, particularly women's health and skin care.
