Bollywood actress Shamita Shetty recently revealed that she underwent surgery for endometriosis, a condition that affects a significant percentage of women worldwide. Shamita took to Instagram to share her experience, highlighting the importance of awareness and early diagnosis. The video, recorded by her sister Shilpa Shetty, shows Shamita in a hospital bed, urging women to educate themselves about endometriosis. “It’s painful and uncomfortable,” she says, emphasising the need to listen to one's body and stay positive.
In her Instagram caption, Shamita thanked her doctors for their persistence in diagnosing her condition and expressed relief at the prospect of better health post-surgery. She pointed out that nearly 40% of women suffer from endometriosis, yet many remain unaware of the disease.
View this post on Instagram
Understanding Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a chronic condition where tissue similar to the lining inside the uterus starts growing outside it. This aberrant growth commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic lining, but can occasionally spread beyond the pelvic region. This misplaced tissue behaves like normal uterine lining, thickening, breaking down, and bleeding with each menstrual cycle. However, unlike normal menstrual blood, this tissue has no way to exit the body, leading to cyst formation, adhesions, and severe pelvic pain.
Also Read: Rumours Of Taylor Swift Being Autistic Making Rounds On The Internet; Signs Of Autism In Adults
Symptoms of Endometriosis
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with menstrual periods. Women with endometriosis typically experience much more severe pain than usual menstrual cramps, and this pain may increase over time. Here are some common symptoms to be aware of:
- Painful Periods (Dysmenorrhea): Intense pelvic pain and cramping can start before and extend several days into the menstrual period. This pain may also be accompanied by lower back and abdominal discomfort.
- Excessive Bleeding: Some women experience heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) or bleeding between periods.
- Pain During Intercourse: Pain during or after sex is a frequent symptom, significantly impacting quality of life.
- Pain with Bowel Movements or Urination: These symptoms are most noticeable during menstrual periods.
- Infertility: Endometriosis is sometimes first diagnosed in women seeking treatment for infertility.
- Other Symptoms: These can include fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating, and nausea, particularly around menstrual periods.
The severity of symptoms does not always correlate with the extent of the disease; some women with severe endometriosis may have mild symptoms, while others with minimal endometrial growths experience debilitating pain. Additionally, endometriosis can mimic other conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease or irritable bowel syndrome, complicating diagnosis.
Causes and Risk Factors
The exact cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but several theories exist:
- Retrograde Menstruation: This theory suggests that menstrual blood flows backwards through the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity instead of leaving the body. The endometrial cells in the blood then stick to the pelvic organs and grow.
- Immune System Disorders: A faulty immune system might fail to eliminate misplaced endometrial tissue.
- Transformation of Peritoneal Cells: Hormones or immune factors might transform peritoneal cells (lining the abdomen) into endometrial-like cells.
- Embryonic Cell Transformation: Hormones like estrogen may convert embryonic cells into endometrial-like cell growths during puberty.
- Surgical Scars: Endometrial cells might attach to surgical incisions, such as those from a C-section.
Bottomline
Shamita Shetty’s openness about her struggle with endometriosis sheds light on a condition that often goes undiagnosed and misunderstood. By sharing her journey, she hopes to encourage other women to seek medical advice if they experience similar symptoms. Understanding endometriosis, its symptoms, and potential causes is crucial for timely intervention and management. Women experiencing persistent pelvic pain, painful periods, or other related symptoms should consult healthcare professionals to explore the possibility of endometriosis and receive appropriate treatment.