More than 150 million women in the world suffer from endometriosis. The menses are excruciating. There are also some cases of men with endometriosis with cystic degeneration. Currently there is no cure for endometriosis.
Some cases require a hysterectomy. Even then, the endometriosis may still recur if the implants were not completely cleared during the surgery.
The endometrium is tissue that lines the uterus, the tissue may venture into the extra-uterine territory.
The tissue does not recognize that it is not in the uterus anymore so it continues to thicken, and break down after every menstrual cycle. The blood is then trapped due to lack of an exit. The endometrial implants will attach anywhere in the pelvic cavity.
Patients with endometriosis will experience excessive bleeding. They may even bleed between periods. Another very common and telling symptom is the pain. This could be pelvic pain, pain during menstruation, pain during sex, and even pain during bowel movements.
There are reported cases where endometriosis was incorrectly diagnosed for IBS. This is due to the symptoms like bloating, constipation, and nausea, which are very like those of IBS.
Caution Against Misdiagnosis
Because endometriosis can be incorrectly diagnosed patients should make a checklist of their symptoms, then insist on the proper diagnosis procedure. It will usually involve a pelvic exam.
The condition is confirmed by a laparoscopy. This procedure enables the physician to see inside the cavity and locate the implants. The best-case scenario has a laparoscopy and an operation to remove the implants.
Endometriosis Research Priorities
A survey conducted revealed that the cause is top five on the list of research priorities. There is research to look into endometriosis biomarkers. Currently, a few causes are theorized.
The first being, retrograde menstruation. This is where period blood with endometrial cells flows into the pelvic cavity through the fallopian tubes.
There is also the transformation of cells (peritoneal and embryonic) by some sort of hormonal dysfunction or immune factor.
Endometriosis Treatment
Usually, treatment will involve pain medication as well as hormone therapy, like the use of progestin. Research says that unregulated hormones cause the endometrium to thicken. Thus making it harder for it to break down when it should.
This treatment course is notorious for causing very severe side effects. Deep Vein Thrombosis being top on that list. Then there is surgery, wherein the implants can be removed surgically.
Cannabis has been used to ease vaginal hyperalgesia and period pain. This fact has led inquiries into the science behind it.
Endometriosis is high on the list of period pain causes that have been widely researched. The true cause of period pain by endometriosis is not yet known without a doubt. However, there is a hypothesis that definitely makes sense.
2010 Endometriosis Research
A rat model was surgically induced with endometriosis in 2010. The condition caused the growth of ectopic uterine cysts. It was found that these abnormal growths have their own network of sensory and sympathetic nerve fibers.
That is to say, there are innervations in these endometrial cells. Upon further investigation, it was found that the CB1 receptor was expressed in both the somata and fibers of the nerves.
This then presents an avenue for treatment and possible cure for endometriosis.
Possible Relief
The 2016 survey for common endometriosis questions had a cure right at the top. Patients and the public wanted to know the possibility of a cure for this condition. How close is the scientific community in synthesizing a treatment that will get rid of the implant once and for all, without the possibility of recurrence?
A cure would restore economic losses suffered during periods of extreme period pain. It will repair the self-esteem and depression caused by endometriosis caused infertility. There is a high chance that endometriosis can be passed down to the immediately succeeding generation of ladies. A cure would free these women of a lifetime of worry every time a little discomfort is experienced.
In 2010, it was revealed that phytocannabinoids possessed anti-proliferative and anti-fibrotic properties. This is a more aggressive version of the condition.
Research says that the endocannabinoid system promotes deregulation of signaling pathways. This study involved a mouse model and 14 human patients.
Through this, the endometrial cells start to die. The spread of implants is also crippled.
Endo-Induced Pain
At first, it was not understood how endometriosis caused period pain. Pelvic pain in different forms is the most common symptom of endometriosis. It has been found that it may be due to the innervations in the endometrial cells.
Research also suggests that there is a deficiency of CB1 receptors. This means that the endocannabinoid system is less able to effect relief from pain.
Clearly, 2010 was a big endometriosis study year.
Another 2010 study revealed that rat models had a suppressed endometriosis-induced hyperalgesia. This was upon the intervention of the endocannabinoid system through the phytocannabinoids.
The cannabinoids also increased the concentration of cannabinoid type 1 receptors. This gave more reach for the endocannabinoid system to promote pain relief.
Maximize and Maintain Fertility
This condition affects women in their fertile years, right from when the first period occurs. It is said that waiting too long to have children may put one at risk of endometriosis especially if another member of the family has it.
Endometriosis is a major cause of infertility. In one scenario, the egg is unable to move through the fallopian due to blockage by endometrial tissue. In another scenario, the egg and sperm are both destroyed by endometrial cells. Another scenario involves the transformation of the embryonic cells into endometrial cells. These scenarios all lead to the inability to carry a pregnancy to term.
Studies in 1995, 1997, 2001, and 2010 all discuss the abundance of endocannabinoids in the uterine lining. This suggests that endocannabinoids are paramount to reproduction.
Upon increase of cannabinoid type 1 receptors, a study found the successful development of blastocysts. These are embryos 5-6 days after fertilization. This study gave hope for normal fetal implantation despite endometriosis.
This is yet another research priority tackled by CBD. Not to mention that all the studies report no harm or side effects on the test subjects. Cannabis can maximize and prevent endometriosis from ruining the chances of pregnancy.
Immune Factors
The induction theory is a situation whereby the cells that line the abdomen (peritoneal) are transformed into endometrial cells. It is hypothesized that the leading cause of this is immune system dysfunction.
It is also thought that in some cases the immune system may render the body incapable of recognizing extra uterine endometrium. This means that the immune system is another big factor contributing to the millions of endometriosis cases.
CBD through the endocannabinoid receptors regulates the immune system for better performance. It is said that smoking may exacerbate endometriosis. However, a patient in many other ways may consume CBD.
Hormone Manipulation
Hormone therapy is a key part of endometriosis treatment. According to an edition of an endocrinology textbook published in 2012, the relationship between the endocannabinoid system and gonadal hormones is bidirectional.
Gonadal hormones are also known as sex steroids. The endocannabinoid system has a hand in gonadal driven functions. Receptors and metabolic enzymes of the ECS are localized in the HPG axis. This is the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis.
Lastly, changes in gonadal hormones affect ECS action. This makes CBD and cannabis, in general, a very viable treatment avenue for endometriosis through gonadal hormone manipulation.
Cure Long Awaited?
The endocannabinoid system addresses some of the hardest questions endometriosis patients have. It does that without risk of adverse side effects.
A simple perusal of the anecdotal evidence of the efficacy of CBD for endometriosis proves this point. With all that ails the female population, this is one less pain in the butt. It is admirable to see influential women leading the course.
