WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

ENDOMETRIOSIS

Little is commonly known or understood about Endometriosis. What is known is that it can strike between 10 and 20 percent of American Women of childbearing age.

The name Endometriosis comes from the word "endometrium", the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus. Normally, this tissue builds up and is shed each month and is discharged as menstrual flow. In case of Endometriosis, a small piece of this endometrial tissue is "misplaced" and is found outside the normal lining of the uterus. It may be located on ovaries, tubes, intestines, walls of abdomen and pelvis or the ligaments supporting the uterus.

Unlike menstrual fluid, which is discharged during menstruation, blood from the misplaced uterine lining causes the surrounding tissue to become inflamed or swollen. This may produce scar tissue (adhesions) in the area of endometriosis or can develop into what is commonly called "implants", "lesions", "nodules", or "growths".

What causes endometriosis?

We do not fully understand why endometrial tissue grows outside of the womb in some women, but not others. It probably has something to do with genetic factors, since Endometriosis frequently runs in families. We do know that the female hormone estrogen makes the problem worse. Women have high levels of estrogen during their childbearing years.

The Mystery of Endometriosis is that while some women have severe pain, others who have the condition have no symptoms at all!

Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom of Endometriosis. Some women have severe cramps during their periods. Women that have progressively more painful periods with age usually have Endometriosis. Other women have pain during intercourse or during urination or bowel movements.

Infertility occurs in about 30-40 percent of women with endometriosis.

Ovarian cysts filled with endometriotic material (dark, chocolate colored substance) may be detected with ultrasound. However these are present in less than 20% of women with Endometriosis.