What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis affects up to 10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44. It most often occurs on or around reproductive organs in the pelvis or abdomen.

Affected areas include:

Fallopian tubes
Ligaments around the uterus (uterosacral ligaments)
Liningofthe pelvic cavity
Ovaries
Outside surface of the uterus
Space between the uterus and the rectum or bladder

More rarely, it can also grow on and around:

Bladder
Cervix
Intestines
Rectum
Stomach (abdomen)
Vaginovulvar

Endometrial tissue growing in these areas does not shed during a menstrual cycle like healthy endometrial tissue inside the uterus does. The buildup of abnormal tissue outside the uterus can lead to inflammation, scarring and painful cysts. It can also lead to buildup of fibrous tissues between reproductive organs that causes them to “stick” together.

Endometriosis Causes

Doctors do not know exactly what causes endometriosis, but there are a few theories of what might cause it:

Blood or lymph system transport:

Endometrial tissues are transported to other areas
of the body through the blood or lymphatic systems, similar to the way cancer cells can spread through the body.

Direct transplantation:

Endometrial cells may attach to the walls of the
abdomen or other areas of the body after a surgery, such as a C-section or hysterectomy.

Genetics:

Endometriosis seems to affect some families more often than others, so there may be a genetic link to the condition.

Reverse menstruation:

Endometrial tissue goes into the fallopian tubes and the abdomen instead of exiting the body during a womans period.

Transformation:

Other cells in the body may become endometrial cells and start growing outside the endometrium.

What you need to know about Endometriosis

Endometriosis is derived from the word "endometrium", which is the tissue that lines the uterus. Patients with endometriosis have endometrial-type tissue outside of the uterus.
Endometriosis affects an estimated 2 to 10 percent of women between the ages of 25 and 40.
Women with endometriosis are more likely to have infertility or difficulty getting pregnant.
Symptoms of endometriosis may include: excessive menstrual cramps, abnormal or heavy menstrual flow and pain during intercourse among other pain symptoms.
Laparoscopy, a minimally invasive surgical procedure, can be used to definitively diagnose and treat endometriosis.

Endometriosis Symptoms

Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis. Endometriosis is very complex disease and the symptoms differ from person to person. Some endometriosis symptoms correlate with other medical conditions, making diagnosis even more difficult. The stage of the disease does not always correlate with the level of pain. Some symptoms of endometriosis are due to organs being affected directly or due to the irritation caused by endometriosis lesions.

Endometriosis can be symptomatic or asymptomatic, although, with the right questions / clinical investigations, an asymptomatic patient can become symptomatic. Also, in cases of asymptomatic (pain wise) endometriosis, if fertility is affected, then this becomes symptomatic, as infertility is one of symptoms of endometriosis. The pain can be cyclic or acyclic, but it usually gets worse during menstruation.