What is Endometriosis?

What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disease of the female reproductive organs and pelvic area. It affects approximately 5.5 million girls and women in the U.S., and approximately 90 million worldwide. It is most often characterized by generalized pelvic pain, increased pelvic pain before, during, and after the menstrual period, pain during and after intercourse, functional pain during urination and bowel movements, particularly during the menstrual period, and heavy or irregular periods. However, there are a large number of other symptoms also associated with endometriosis. (Endometriosis Association, Wikipedia)

In patients with endometriosis, microscopic particles of tissue, similar to the tissue that makes up the lining of the uterus (that lining is called the endometruim), are found elsewhere in the pelvic cavity. The particles of tissue that are displaced outside the endometruim behave just as they would if they were within the uterus walls, physically preparing the body for pregnancy each month. The stray endometrium cells perform the natural process of reacting with hormones and building up blood cells and other chemicals the body needs to sustain a pregnancy. However, because these extra particles of endometrium tissue are found in the pelvic cavity of a woman with endometriosis, and not inside the uterus, during the process of discarding that blood that a healthy woman experiences during her menstrual cycle, there is no way for the blood of the stray endometrium tissue to exit the body. This causes a woman with endometriosis to experience internally bleeding and inflammation, and can lead to the development of scar tissue and adhesions in the pelvic cavity as well.