by Andrea Schinze

Created on: April 28, 2008   Last Updated: May 09, 2009

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition where the lining of the uterus know as the endometrium lining grows or implants outside of the uterus in other places. The most common places the tissue grows are in the pelvic area, the outside of the uterus, the ovaries and fallopian tubs, bowel's and rectum, on the bladder, and in the lining of the pelvis. This tissue in some rare cases can also develop in other parts of the body. This tissue unlike the lining inside the uterus will not shed during the normal menstrual cycle. They may bleed a little and heal back up but they are stimulated again during the next cycle.

What are the symptoms?

The scarring and lesions from the constant stimulation each month can cause moderate to severe pain in the pelvic area, and abnormal bleeding during your menstrual cycle, pain while urinating or having a bowel movement, pain and or bleeding during sexual intercourse, nausea. vomiting, fatigue, lower back pain, hip joint pain and more. A woman with Endometriosis can have all or none of these symptoms at all.

Many if not all of these symptoms are similar to the same symptoms as PCOS; Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, and also similar to the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. Women who have Endometriosis have an increased chance of developing ovarian cancer. However, having Endometriosis does not mean you will develop ovarian cancer. There is a link between the two disorders, so make sure to talk to your doctor if you have any symptoms

How is Endometriosis diagnosed?

If you or your doctor suspect Endometriosis based on symptoms a few test may be done in the office such as a routine exam of the vagina and rectum in which the doctor can feel for endometrial nodules or implants behind the uterus, or on the ligaments that attach to the pelvic wall. However, the only accurate way of diagnosing Endometriosis is by undergoing surgery, known as a Laparoscopy. During the surgery Endometriosis can be both detected and treated.

What causes Endometriosis?

Although there are many theories, the cause of Endometriosis is still unknown. Some theories are that Endometriosis may be cased by a immune system or hormonal problem. What is known is that Endometriosis tends to run in the genes, and if your mother or sister has had Endometriosis, you become six times more likely to get the disease than other women.

What is the Treatment for Endometriosis?

There are many different treatments for Endometriosis. Different treatments such as stopping your period to slow down the growth, surgery to remove the lesions, hormonal therapy, anti-gonadotropin drugs and birth control pills have been known to help treat Endometriosis and it's symptoms. Many woman with Endometriosis who are experiencing infertility have been able to conceive after treatments. With time changing new and advanced treatments are to. Talk to your Doctor if your experiencing signs or symptoms of Endometriosis or Ovarian Cancer.

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