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Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a female health problem that occurs when cells in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other places on the body. The uterine cavity is lined with endometrial cells, which are under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are affected by hormonal changes and react in a manner that is just like the cells found within the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual period.

Endometriosis is typically seen during the reproductive years; it has been calculated that endometriosis occurs in roughly 6-10% of females. Symptoms might depend on the site of active endometriosis. Its main but not common symptom is pelvic pain in various manifestations. This can lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and issues having a baby (infertility).

Endometriosis affects women in their reproductive years. The exact prevalence of endometriosis is not identified, since many women may have the condition and have no signs. Endometriosis is usually estimated to affect over a million women (estimations range between 3% to 18% of women) in the United States. It is one of the main causes of pelvic pain and reasons for laparoscopic surgery and hysterectomy in this country. Estimates declare that between 20% to 50% of women being treated for infertility have endometriosis, and up to 81% of females with chronic pelvic pain can be affected.

The cause of endometriosis is not known. One theory is that the endometrial cells shed once you get your period travel in reverse through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and develop. This is called retrograde menstruation. This backward menstrual circulation occurs in many women, but experts feel the immune system may be different in women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is common. Sometimes, it might run in the family. Although endometriosis is normally diagnosed between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably starts about the time that usual menstruation begins.

Symptoms:

Pain is the most important symptom of endometriosis. A woman with endometriosis may have:

� Painful periods

� Pain in the lower abdomen just before and during menstruation

� Cramps for a week or two before menstruation and during menstruation; cramping pains can be steady and range from flat to critical)

� Pain during or following sexual intercourse

� Pain with bowel movements

� Pelvic or back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle

Note: There might be no symptoms. Some women with a large number of tissue implants in their pelvis do not have pain at all, although some women with milder disease have serious pain.

Complications: Complications of endometriosis contain inner scarring, adhesions, pelvic cysts, chocolate cyst of ovaries, ruptured cysts, and bowel and ureteral obstruction resulting from pelvic adhesions. Infertility can be related to scar formation and anatomical distortions due to endometriosis; however, endometriosis might also interfere in more subtle methods: cytokines and other chemical agents might be released that interfere with reproduction. Peritonitis from bowel perforation can happen. Ovarian endometriosis may complicate pregnancy by decidualization, abscess and/or rupture. Pleural implantations are related to recurrent correct pneumothoraces on occasion of menses, termed catamenial pneumothorax.

Treatment:

Endometriosis can usually be treated with medications and/or surgery. The goals of endometriosis therapy may include pain relief and/or improvement of fertility. Therapy depends on the below factors:

� Age

� Severeness of symptoms

� Severity of disease

� Whether you desire kids in the future

If you have minor symptoms and do not ever want children, you may choose to have usual exams every 6 - 12 months so the doctor can make sure the disease isn't getting worse. You can manage your symptoms by using:

� Exercise and relaxation techniques

� Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or prescribed painkillers to cure cramping and pain.

For other women, treatments include:

� Medications to control pain

� Hormone medications to prevent the endometriosis from getting worse

� Surgery treatment to remove the areas of endometriosis or the whole uterus and ovaries

Therapy to stop the endometriosis from getting worse often involves using birth prevention pills continuously for 6 - 9 months to prevent you from getting periods and create a pregnancy-like state. This is called pseudopregnancy. This treatment uses progesterone and estrogen birth prevention tablets. It relieves most endometriosis symptoms. However, it does not prevent scarring or reverse physical modifications that have already happened as the result of the endometriosis.