by Lesha Neace

Created on: April 27, 2008   Last Updated: April 29, 2008

What is endometriosis?

This is a question that deserves an answer for all women. Endometriosis is one of the most common causes for pelvic pain in women. It also causes infertility in women also. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue which is similar to the lining of the uterus is found elsewhere in the body (the endometrial stroma and glands, which should only be located inside the uterus).

Endometriosis causes severe pain in the pelvic area for women. The pain usually associates around the menstrual cycle, but women with endometriosis may have pain that don't associate itself with their menstrual cycle. For most women the pain can become so severe that it can change their life considerably.

Endometriosis is very difficult for women, and can occur in women of all ages. The cause of endometriosis is still unknown. For now there are no treatments for endometriosis, except for a hysterectomy, and then that is not an absolute one. There are many theories about endometriosis, but yet no complete cure.

Endometriosis causes lesions to form in the pelvic cavity; it can be on the ovaries, on the pelvic sidewalls, or on the fallopian tubes. In doing research for this, I found it can also attach to the rectal-vaginal septum, the cul-de-sac, the uterosacal ligaments, the rectum, colon, appendix, intestines, bowel, bladder, caesarian-section scars, or can be found on laparoscopy or laparotomy scars. In very rare cases, endometriosis has been found on the skin, inside the vagina, inside the bladder, even inside the lung, brain and spine. The lesions can also cause these parts to adhere to one another.

I know this woman, (we will call her Jane) she had this problem. Her bowels actually adhered to her bladder. When they did the surgery to fix the problem, they had to cut them apart, and then they scraped them. It did help with the pain to an extent, but did not completely cure the pain. It did not get rid of the Endometriosis either. It just slows it down for a short period of time.

The Endometriosis had also caused scar tissue and adhesions to develop inside of her. She was in the advanced stage of the Endometriosis, which had caused her internal organs to adhere together; this condition is known as "frozen pelvis." The pain had become very severe, and she was having problems having bowel movements. Jane still lives with the Endometriosis everyday of her life.

It is estimated that thirty to forty percent of women that get Endometriosis will be infertile. This is a high percentage rate among women. That is why it is so important to find out early about Endometriosis, and seek medical help or advice. This can make it very difficult to become pregnant, or make it impossible to conceive at all.

There are several symptoms of Endometriosis:

Irregular or heavy menstrual cycle
Bleeding between your menstrual cycle
Diarrhea or constipation
Abdominal bloating
Fatigue

If you are having any of the symptoms above, please check with your family doctor. It is always better to catch Endometriosis in the early stages.

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