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Endometriosis Overview
Endometriosis is a female medical condition in which body tissue very similar
to the lining of the uterus is found in other areas of the body. Sometimes
this tissue can develop on the outside of the uterus, but it's not uncommon
for it to develop in other areas, such as on the ovaries or fallopian tubes.
Sometimes this uterus lining type tissue will even develop on old surgical
scars, the appendix, colon, bladder, intestines and rectum.
Endometriosis is the cause of severe pelvic pain for women, particularly
during their period and it often results in infertility. In fact, estimates
say that about 30-40% of women with endometriosis are unable to conceive
children.
The cause of this disease is not yet fully known, but many believe it's
related to hormonal changes or imbalances in the woman's body. There is also
evidence of endometriosis being hereditary. A woman who's mother or sister has
the disease is six times more likely to have problems with it as well.
Treatments often revolve around managing and reducing the symptoms or using
drugs which change the body's hormone levels. Women who would like to get
pregnant may elect to try surgical options though. One such surgical procedure
is known as laparoscopic surgery and this is used to both diagnose and treat
endometriosis at the same time.
Some women are told that a hysterectomy is the only way to completely cure the
problem, but unfortunately endometriosis can return even after this procedure.
Many women, however, have had success with managing this condition through
nutritional changes and herbal or other alternative remedies.
Endometriosis usually causes severe pain in women who have the disease. Not
all women experience pain, though, and the amount of pain doesn't usually
indicate the severity of your endometriosis tissue growth.
Most women with this disease experience common symptoms, which include severe
menstrual pain in the lower back and pelvis, diarrhea, constipation or
bloating, particularly during their period, painful intercourse and very heavy
or long menstrual flows.
The condition gets worse over time as well. Because the tissue growth is quite
similar to that found in the lining of the uterus, when a woman's monthly
cycle starts, that tissue grows and fills with blood just like the tissue
inside the uterus does. When an egg is not fertilized, though, the uterine
tissue is then released in the form of menstrual blood flow. Since
Endometriosis tissue has no release outlet, it simply continues to grow as
time goes on.
As the tissue grows, it can sometimes cover the ovaries and fallopian tubes
and this is why some women are unable to get pregnant when they have
endometriosis.
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