March is National Endometriosis Awareness Month

Endometriosis is a chronic condition that affects over 5.5 million women in the United States and Canada. Endometriosis occurs when the endometrium (tissue that lines the uterus) is found on the outside of the uterus and affects other reproductive areas of the body. These include the fallopian tubes, the ovaries, the area between the vagina and rectum, around the uterus and the pelvic cavity. The growth can also spread to other areas like the bladder, cervix, vulva and bowels.

When women have their menstrual cycle, the uterine lining builds up, breaks down and then sheds. The blood and tissue from endometriosis builds up basically the same way but has no way of leaving the body, as menstrual blood does through the vagina. What then results for these women is internal bleeding and inflammation that cause intense pain, bowel problems, infertility problems and other symptoms.

The most common symptoms of endometriosis include fatigue, infertility, painful sexual intercourse, intense pain before and during the menstrual cycle, painful urination and bowel movements during menstrual cycle, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, allergies, chemical sensitivities and frequent yeast infections.

In the latter part of 2002, National Endometriosis Awareness Month was made official by Congress and the House Concurrent Resolution 291. The goal of National Endometriosis Awareness Month is to raise the public's awareness of this chronic disease as well as that of the medical community. In Europe, Australia, and South America, Endometriosis Awareness is for one week each March.

The awareness campaign with highlight the need for further research, further treatments and for physicians to have a better understanding and compassion for their patients with this chronic disease. The need for a cure is also highly addressed.

If you have endometriosis, or suspect that you do, there are many resources online to help you deal with your condition. As always, you should see your doctor if you have not been officially diagnosed.

Online Resources for Endometriosis

The Endometriosis Research Center, located in Florida, has been pioneers in raising awareness for endometriosis. The Endometriosis Research Center has different programs listed on their website that volunteers can become involved in to help raise awareness.

The Endometriosis.org website is a global forum for information on endometriosis. According to their site, this organization "facilitates collaboration and information sharing between women with endometriosis, physicians, scientists, and others interested in the disease. This international cooperation and exchange of experience enables us to deliver up to date, evidence based, information and news about endometriosis."

Endometriosis.org lists support groups all over the world as well as online support groups for endometriosis patients.

The National Women's Health Resource Center has a Reproductive Health Center on their website with a section called the Endometriosis Corner. This section of the site covers endometriosis information as the Feature Article of the Month concerning lifestyle and dietary changes necessary among women with this chronic illness.