Endometriosis is a fairly common, somewhat unknown, and sometimes debilitating condition in which endometrial tissue that usually lines the womb is found at sites elsewhere in the body. It is most commonly found in the pelvis but it has also been found at remote sites such as the lung and nose.
Endometriosis occurs in several places in the body, most commonly including the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the bladder, the bowel, the intestines, the vagina, and the rectum. The endometriosis cells behave in the same way as those that line the womb, so every month they grow during the menstrual cycle and then shed blood. Normally before a period, the lining of the womb (the endometrium) thickens in order to receive a fertilised egg. When pregnancy does not happen, this lining breaks down and bleeds, leaving the body as menstrual blood. Endometrial tissue anywhere in the body will go through the same process of thickening and bleeding, but it has no way of leaving the body. The endometrial tissue is 'trapped' which leads to pain, swelling and bleeding wherever the tissue is.
The prevalence (number of women with the condition at anyone one time) of the condition is not completely clearly but best estimates range from 2-10% of females of reproductive age. It is not very often that Endometriosis is diagnosed early in a womans life, and can go undiagnosed or undetected.
It affects all races although is possibly more come in Caucasian and East Asian women than African races although this may be due to differing access to diagnosis. There is a genetic tendency in that the conditions can cluster in families, however most sufferers do not have a family history of note.
Symptoms usually consist of pain and / or sub-fertility. Pain can occur with periods, intercourse and sometimes on passing stool or urine. It may also be a more constant pain throughout the menstrual cycle. The effect of endometriosis on quality of life is enormous with studies showing effect on quality of life equal to or worse than that of patients with some cancers........Read More
The main technique for diagnosis is a laparoscopy, which involves a small camera being passed though the umbilicus (belly button) under anaesthetic to allow direct inspection of the organs of the pelvis. Because of this, and often a lack of awareness, there is frequently a delay in diagnosis with the average delay from first presentation to diagnosis being from 3 to 11 years......Read More
Are you a husband or partner, parent or friend, or even an employer. Well in this section, husbands, partners, family, friends and employers can find out more. What is Endometriosis, What are its affects, and how can you help support. Also how it will affect you, your relationship, your daily lives, your business, that you have someone around you with Endometriosis. Read more