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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 usually under the influence of female hormones. Endometrial-like cells in areas outside the uterus (endometriosis) are affected by hormonal changes and respond in a way that is similar to the cells discovered within the uterus. Symptoms often worsen with the menstrual period.

Endometriosis is typically seen during the reproductive years; it is often calculated that endometriosis happens in around 6-10% of women. Symptoms might be based upon the site of active endometriosis. Its main but not universal indication is pelvic pain in several manifestations. This may lead to pain, irregular bleeding, and problems having a baby (infertility).

Endometriosis affects females within their reproductive years. The actual prevalence of endometriosis is not recognized, since many females may have the condition and have no signs. Endometriosis is estimated to impact over a million females (estimates range from 3% to 18% of females) in the USA. It is one of the main factors behind 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 unknown. One theory is that the endometrial cells shed when you get your period travel in reverse through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis, where they implant and grow. It is called retrograde menstruation. This backward menstrual flow happens in many women, but researchers think the immune system may be unique in women with endometriosis.

Endometriosis is usual. Sometimes, it may run in the family. Although endometriosis is normally identified between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably begins considering the time that regular menstruation begins.

Symptoms:

Pain is the main symptom of endometriosis. A woman with endometriosis could have:

� Painful periods

� Pain within the lower abdomen before and during menstruation

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

� Pain during or following sexual intercourse

� Pain with bowel movements

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

Notice: There may be no symptoms. A few women with a large number of tissue implants in their pelvis do not have pain at all, while some women with milder disease have severe 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 may be related to scar formation and anatomical distortions due to the endometriosis; however, endometriosis may also interfere in more subtle ways: cytokines and other chemical agents may 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 associated with recurrent right pneumothoraces at times of menses, termed catamenial pneumothorax.

Treatment:

Endometriosis can usually be treated with medications and/or surgical treatment. The goals of endometriosis therapy may include pain relief and/or improvement of fertility. Treatment depends upon the following factors:

� Age

� Severeness of symptoms

� Severeness of disease

� Whether you want kids in the future

If you have mild symptoms and don't ever want kids, you may choose to have regular tests every 6 - 12 months so the doctor can make sure the disease is not getting worse. You can handle your symptoms by using:

� Exercise and relaxation techniques

� Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or prescribed pain relievers to relieve cramping and pain.

For other females, treatments include:

� Medicines to control pain

� Hormone medications to stop the endometriosis from getting worse

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

Therapy to stop the endometriosis from having worse frequently involves using birth control capsules continuously for 6 - 9 months to prevent you from having 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 avoid scarring or reverse physical modifications which have already happened as the result of the endometriosis.