Endometriosis is a common disease that affects women during the reproductive years. It occurs when the normal tissue of the lining of the uterus, the endometrium, attaches to the organs of the pelvis and begins to grow. This displaced endometrial tissue causes irritation to the pelvis that can lead to pain and infertility.
Endometriosis can affect women who have had children and can occur in adolescents and young women. Endometriosis can be found in 24% to 50% of women who experience infertility and in more than 20% of those who have chronic pelvic pain.
Why does endometriosis occur?
Experts don´t know exactly why some women develop endometriosis. During each menstrual period, most of the lining of the uterus and blood spills through the cervix and is removed through the vagina. However, a portion of this tissue enters the pelvis through the fallopian tubes. Women who develop endometriosis may simply be unable to remove these cells from the pelvis. Some women may have a few endometriosis implants on the surface of the pelvis, peritoneum, or pelvic organs, or implants may invade the peritoneum and grow as nodules. Endometriosis can grow on the surface of the ovary in the form of implants, or it can invade the ovary and develop a blood-filled cyst called an endometrioma, or a “chocolate cyst.”
Endometriosis can irritate the surrounding tissue and produce internal scar tissue, called adhesions. These adhesions can bind the organs of the pelvis, completely cover them, or affect the nearby intestines. Adhesions can prevent the fallopian tubes from picking up the egg from the ovary during ovulation.
SYMPTOMS THAT MAY BE SUSPECTED OF ENDOMETRIOSIS
Many women who have endometriosis experience few or no symptoms, sometimes the only symptom may be infertility. But when symptoms occur, the most common are:
RECOMMENDATIONS
If you have any of these symptoms, or even only infertility, come to us for an assessment and make an accurate diagnosis, with treatment options for pain and infertility.
Painful intercourse
Infertility
Chronic pelvic pain
Remember Endometriosis affects millions of women worldwide. It requires professional attention, especially when fertility is affected or when pain affects lifestyle.
The best strategy is to choose a qualified specialist, that is, one who is familiar with the latest advances in endometriosis management. The doctor you choose will recommend the most appropriate course of treatment based on your personal situation.