Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common and often painful gynaecological disorder in which tissue similar to the tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus, the endometrium - grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial-like tissue may be found beyond the area where pelvic organs are located.

With endometriosis, this endometrial-like tissue acts as the endometrial tissue would - it thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. But as this tissue has no way to exit your body, it gets trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form which can irritate surrounding tissues and eventually develop scar tissue and adhesions.

Endometriosis can cause severe pain, especially during menstrual periods. Fertility problems also may develop. Fortunately, effective treatments are available to manage this condition.

Symptoms

• Painful periods (Dysmenorrhea), pelvic pain, and cramping
• Lower back Pain
• Pain with sexual intercourse
• Painful bowel movements and/or urination
• Heavy bleeding
• Infertility
• Other signs and symptoms: You may experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

Causes

• Problems with the menstrual period flow. Retrograde menstrual flow is the most likely cause of endometriosis. Some of the tissue shed during the period flows through the fallopian tube into other areas of the body, such as the pelvis.
• Genetic factors: Because endometriosis runs in families, it may be inherited in the genes.
• Immune  System Disorders. A faulty immune system may fail to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Immune system disorders and certain cancers are more common in women with endometriosis.
• Hormones. The hormone estrogen appears to promote endometriosis. Research is looking at whether endometriosis is a problem with the body's hormone system.
• Surgery. During surgery to the abdominal area, such as a Cesarean (C-section) or hysterectomy, endometrial tissue could be picked up and moved by mistake. For instance, endometrial tissue has been found in abdominal scars.