Endometriosis Blog

Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects nearly 5 1/2 million women and girls, and millions more worldwide. It’s a debilitating condition that will most certainly change a woman’s life.

Endometriosis occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus - usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity.

Other locations for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations. This disease currently has no cure but with treatment can be controlled. It is a disease that in most cases spreads in time and in many cases must be removed by a surgical procedure. The pain is very distinctive. This disease spreads some what like Cancer but if controlled by medication and treatment in most cases it will not be fatal or even close, though it may feel that way!

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Another words, the disease feeds on the hormones that you produce during your cycle and in most cases this is the most painful and aggravating time. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation - and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

Related "Endo" Blog Posts:

1. What Is Endometriosis?