Endometriosis is a common medical condition affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world. With Endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium, from endo, "inside", and metra, "womb") is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, with Endometriosis, the misplaced endometrium has no way of leaving the body. The tissues still break down and bleed, but result is far different in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin, the lungs, the diaphragm and even the brain.

Symptoms

---

A major symptom of endometriosis is pain, mostly in the lower abdomen, lower back, and pelvic area. The amount of pain a woman feels is not necessarily related to the extent or stage (1 through 4) of endometriosis. Some women will have little or no pain despite having extensive endometriosis affecting large areas or endometriosis with scarring. On the other hand, women may have severe pain even though they have only a few small areas of endometriosis.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):

• Painful, sometimes disabling menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea); pain may get worse over time (progressive pain)
• Chronic pain (typically lower back pain and pelvic pain, also abdominal)
• Painful intercourse (dyspareunia)
• Painful bowel movements or painful urination (dysuria)
• Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Premenstrual or intermenstrual spotting (bleeding between periods)
• Infertility and subfertility. Endometriosis may lead to fallopian tube obstruction. Even without this, there may be difficulty conceiving. In some women, subfertility is the sole symptom, and the endometriosis is only discovered after fertility investigations.

More on [ Endometriosis ]

Endometriosis - Twitter Search

RT @dougpmd: Here is some information on endometriosis. http://tinyurl.com/62w5ha
LGReilly (LGReilly) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:31:44 -0000
RT @dougpmd: Here is some information on endometriosis. http://tinyurl.com/62w5ha
Here is some information on endometriosis. http://tinyurl.com/62w5ha
dougpmd (Doug Penta MD) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:23:02 -0000
Here is some information on endometriosis. http://tinyurl.com/62w5ha
@1001petals Yep, you got it, 9 years of trying, endometriosis, ovarian failure, blah, blah, ask me anything anytime! Heh ;)
AureliaCotta (Aurelia Cotta) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:17:12 -0000
@1001petals Yep, you got it, 9 years of trying, endometriosis, ovarian failure, blah, blah, ask me anything anytime! Heh ;)
Endometriosis Versus Ovarian Cancer - Ovarian Cancer: For a number of Endometriosis sufferers who also have a f.. http://bit.ly/1w3g4D
hazeden (Hazelle Brandon) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:15:58 -0000
Endometriosis Versus Ovarian Cancer - Ovarian Cancer: For a number of Endometriosis sufferers who also have a f.. http://bit.ly/1w3g4D
Do you have severepain with menses affecting your ability to work.If so discuss poss of endometriosis.Often most severe right before menses.
dougpmd (Doug Penta MD) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:50:09 -0000
Do you have severepain with menses affecting your ability to work.If so discuss poss of endometriosis.Often most severe right before menses.
@tarbooze41 For endometriosis. Hoo-ha stuff. Heh. :)
myfavoritesong (Erin D) Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:33:46 -0000
@tarbooze41 For endometriosis. Hoo-ha stuff. Heh. :)

Subscribe to Endometriosis RSS feed