The endometrium is the name of the tissue that lines the uterus. Endometriosis is the condition that occurs when the endometrium grows in areas of the body where it is not supposed to. This can cause significant pain, irregular bleeding, and quite possibly infertility. In most cases of endometriosis, the tissue tends to grow in the pelvic area, including the outside of the uterus, on the bowels, rectum, ovaries, bladder, and the lining of the pelvis. Occasionally the endometrium will grow in other parts of the body as well, although this is considered quite rare.
Symptoms of endometriosis may include menstrual periods that are increasingly painful, lower abdominal pain, pelvic cramping for a week or two prior to menstruation, Lower abdominal cramping and pain felt during menstruation, pelvic pain at any time during menstruation, back pain felt at any time during menstruation, pain during intercourse, pain after intercourse, pain with bowel movements, spotting before menstruation, or infertility. Most women have cramps during menstruation. Endometriosis is significantly painful beyond normal cramping associated with menstruation.
There is no known cause of endometriosis, although there are theories as to why it strikes some women. It is possible that endometrium cells which are loosened during menstruation may end up back up in the fallopian tubes. An immune system that is not normal may cause menstrual tissue to implant itself in other areas of the body. It is possible that the cells which line the uterine cavity may spontaneously develop into endometriosis. It is possible that there are genetic links to why some women develop endometriosis.
At least 10% of women experience endometriosis and it is considered a fairly common problem. While most women are diagnosed between their twenties and thirties, the problem most likely occurs at the beginning of menses and becomes exacerbated over time. The endometrium responds to hormonal signals, just as it does inside the uterus. Thus, when the hormones signal that it is time for the endometrium to fall off, causing menses, the endometrium that is elsewhere is the body responds as well causing pain and sometimes spotty bleeding.
Scarring and adhesions may develop over the fallopian tubes over time, rendering the woman infertile. Nearly 35% of all infertile women have some degree of endometriosis. Women with a mother or sister with endometriosis are 6 times more likely to develop it as well. Women with irregularly long periods, who start menstruating at an early age, and who have regular menstrual cycles are more likely to have endometriosis than those who start menses later in life and who tend to have short periods.
A pelvic exam is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of endometriosis. A pelvic exam may reveal tender nodules of a lumpy consistency. Most often these lumpy nodules are found along the posterior vaginal wall as well as the regions surrounding the ovaries. The uterus is likely to either fixed or retroverted. A simple test known as a laparoscopy is needed to confirm the diagnosis, but most patients start treatment once the pelvic exam has confirmed the presence of lumpy nodules.
Complications may include infertility, although not in every case. Endometriosis has been known to return even after a hysterectomy. In severe cases, endometriosis causes blockages of the gastrointestinal or urinary tracts.
Treatment options depend on the severity of the disease, the woman’s desire for children, and how tolerable or intolerable the symptoms are. Treatment may include painkillers, stopping the menstrual cycle once or twice, hormonal therapies, and surgical procedures which may or may not include the removal if the uterus.
There are no determining factors within a woman’s control when it comes to the development of endometriosis. There are no medications that reduce the risk and there are no obvious warning signs of who may get the disease and who may not. If endometriosis is suspected, women are urged to contact a gynecologist immediately for an examination and a thorough explanation of treatment options. Endometriosis does not have to mean the end of fertility if caught and treated early. With proper care, many women are able to undergo successful treatment for endometriosis and continue on with a normal life.
Endometriosis videos
Understanding Endometriosis
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My Endometriosis Story
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http://www.youtube.com/v/FJw9xGJkTEQ
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Support Endometriosis
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http://www.youtube.com/v/tr0UKcowqIs
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Endometriosis estadÃo I
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http://www.youtube.com/v/GfTjUpjHYs4
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Endometriosis linked to Stem Cells
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http://www.youtube.com/v/aUoGi3V3QgM
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Autofluorescent Laparoscopy Diagnosis of Endometriosis
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http://www.youtube.com/v/n6aBjwsVUjg
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Endometriosis Peritoneal
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http://www.youtube.com/v/12uggZAlt8c
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Histopathology Ovary--Endometriosis
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http://www.youtube.com/v/VXQo4k3CtNM
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Lung Endometriosis-Catamenial Pneumothorax
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http://www.youtube.com/v/Uu8MIOwrjcE
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Find out more by viewing the Human Anatomy page:
Female reproductive system
Lymphatic system
Medication commonly used for these disease:
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Mircette, which is generically prescribed as ethinyl estradiol and desogestral, is commonly used to prevent pregnancy. It prevents the body from ovulating and alters the mucous membranes of the cervix, as well as alters the uterine lining. This medication more...
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Aygestin is a brand name for the generic drug norethindrone acetate. It is a combination of estrogen and progestin which is prescribed for the treatment of the absence of menstrual periods, irregular periods due to a hormonal imbalance, endometriosis, an more...
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Levlen is an oral contraceptive that is generically prescribed as ethinyl estradiol levonorgestrel and is a hormonally based form of birth control. Levlen is used in the prevention of pregnancy.
Levlen can not be taken by all patients and some patients m more...
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Ortho Tri-Cyclen Lo, which is generically prescribed as ethinyl estradiol and norelgestromate, is commonly used to prevent pregnancy. This medication prevents the body from ovulating and alters the mucous membranes of the cervix as well as alters the uter more...
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Alesse, which is generically prescribed as ethynil estradiol and levonorgestrel, is commonly used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. This medication prevents ovulation and alters the lining of the uterine wall and causes alterations in cervical muco more...
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Ortho Tri-Cyclen, which is generically prescribed as ethynil estradiol and norgestrimate, is commonly used as a contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. This medication prevents ovulation and alters the lining of the uterine wall and causes alterations in cerv more...
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Desogen is an oral contraceptive which alters the hormones of the woman’s body in order to produce a difficult environment for the fertilization of the female egg as well as an inhospitable environment for a fertilized egg to grow. Desogen is not appropri more...
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Danocrine is also known by the brand name Danozol, and goes by Cyclomen in Canada. It is an oral medication, taken in capsule form, and used for several different medical conditions. Some of these conditions include pain or infertility due to endo more...
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Provera, also known as medroxyprogesterone acetate, is actually a derivative of progesterone, a female hormone that is naturally produced by the body. It is usually prescribed to women who do not start menstruating at puberty as well as women who stop men more...
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Danazol is part of the steroid family; it is in fact a modified testosterone. Having been around since the 1970s, this was the first drug that had an affect against endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition that women have that is really the growth of e more...
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