What is Endometriosis?

 What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a condition in which the endometrial tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus and attaches to other organs.

The most common areas that are affected:

• the ovaries where cysts might appear; these are called chocolate cysts because they contain brown material.
• the area behind the womb and in front of the rectum (large bowel).
• less common sites include the bowel itself, the bladder and sites outside the pelvis including the navel or operation scars.

Who is at risk of endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a very common condition affecting up to 10 per cent of women between 16 and 50 years of age, often without producing any symptoms. Endometriotial tissue is under hormonal influence so it is almost never seen in children or postmenopausal women.

What causes endometriosis?

This is somthing that reseachers are still uncertain about. The best way to describe what happenes is to imagine the cycle working in the reverse. Its a 'backward' bleeding carries tissue from the uterus to the pelvic area via the Fallopian tubes. This is called retrograde menstruation.

What does endometriosis look like?

It appears as small blackish-blue nodules on the external lining of the ovaries or elsewhere in the pelvis. In some cases it may lead to the formation of cysts filled with altered blood, known as chocolate cysts.

Is endometriosis painful?

Endometriosis could be very painful. with many sufferers experiencing chronic pain. Sexual intercourse can be painful, and women with chocolate cysts may have a feeling of fullness in the lower parts of their stomach.

Does endometriosis affect a woman's chances of becoming pregnant?

In severe cases, formation of connecting tissues around endometriosis near the Fallopian tubes or ovaries may reduce fertility.
Fortunately, most women with endometriosis have a mild form of disease and their fertility is not impaired. Once pregnant, most women's endometriosis gets better under the influence of the constant high levels of female hormones produced in pregnancy.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

Although the doctor may suspect endometriosis and start treatment on the basis of symptoms alone, usually the diagnosis is made through direct inspection of the pelvis. This is most commonly via transvaginal ultrasound & other laproscopic procedures performed by a gynaecologist.

How is endometriosis treated?

There is a wide range of treatment available. The course of treatment should be discussed with your health Care provider; On a case by case basis.