What is Endometriosis?

“Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often-painful condition in which tissue that is similar to the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It often affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining the pelvis. Rarely, endometriosis growths may be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located.

Endometriosis tissue acts as the lining inside the uterus would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But it grows in places where it doesn’t belong, and it doesn’t leave the body. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated and form scar tissue. Bands of fibrous tissue called adhesions also may form. These can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other.

Endometriosis can cause pain, especially during menstrual periods. Fertility problems also may develop. But treatments can help you take charge of the condition and its complications.” (From the Mayo Clinic)

Common Symptoms of Endometriosis

• Pain in lower abdomen before and during periods (usually worse than “normal” menstrual cramps)
• Pain during or after sexual activity
• Painful urination/bowel movements during periods
• Fatigue
• Infertility
• Heavy bleeding
• Other gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea, constipation, nausea
  In addition, many women with endometriosis suffer from:
• Allergies
• Chemical sensitivities
• Frequent yeast infections

Causes

The exact cause of endometriosis isn’t clear. Some possible causes include:

• Retrograde menstruation – Retrograde menstruation happens when menstrual blood flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. The blood contains endometrial cells from the inner lining of the uterus. These cells may stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs. There, they might grow and continue to thicken and bleed over the course of each menstrual cycle.
• Transformed peritoneal cells – Experts suggest that hormones or immune factors might help transform cells that line the inner side of the abdomen, called peritoneal cells, into cells that are like those that line the inside of the uterus.
• Embryonic cell changes – Hormones such as estrogen may transform embryonic cells — cells in the earliest stages of development — into endometrial-like cell growths during puberty.
• Surgical scar complication – Endometrial cells may attach to scar tissue from a cut made during surgery to the stomach area, such as a C-section.
• Endometrial cell transport – The blood vessels or tissue fluid system may move endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
• Immune system condition. – A problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometriosis tissue.

Factors that raise the risk of endometriosis include:

• Never giving birth.
• Starting your period at an early age.
• Going through menopause at an older age.
• Short menstrual cycles — for instance, less than 27 days.
• Heavy menstrual periods that last longer than seven days.
• Having higher levels of estrogen in your body or a greater lifetime exposure to estrogen your body produces.
• Low body mass index.
• One or more relatives with endometriosis, such as a mother, aunt or sister.

Treatment

Treatment for endometriosis often involves medicine or surgery. The approach you and your health care team choose will depend on how serious your symptoms are and whether you hope to become pregnant.

Typically, medicine is recommended first. If it doesn’t help enough, surgery becomes an option.

• Pain medicine
• Hormone therapy
• Surgery
• Fertility treatment
• Hysterectomy with removal of the ovaries

If you think that you may be suffering from Endometriosis, contact our Women’s Care team to set up an appointment today.