What is Endometriosis?

A couple of years ago I was diagnosed with Endometriosis. I had heard many women discussing it before but was not sure what is was. After doing some research I was amazed at the number of women who suffer from it, and how there is not yet a clear reason for the disease.

Endometriosis occurs during menstruation. A woman has cells that are shed from inside her Uterus every month. Endometrial cells attach themselves out side of the Uterus and do not shed. Instead they can cling onto Fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder, intestines or a host of places in your body.

My experience included pain during menstruation but other then that, I had no symptoms. I know others who were not so lucky. One of my friends had it so bad, it was strangling off her bowels. She had to have immediate surgery to correct the problem. It can also connect to your lungs or heart. So it can be life threatening.

There is no clear reason why any woman gets Endometriosis. There are however many theories.

Retrograde Menstruation is a condition where, (due to the back-up of menstrual flow) the cells are carried off to different places with in abdominal cavity. Although a lot of women experience this and do not have Endometriosis, it could be considered part of a wider problem.

Another theory is that the disease is caused by some kind of change in immune system functions. Which it ignores the Endometrial cell growth.

The over use of tampons has been listed as a possible reason for the disease. With the reason again being a backup of of menstrual flow, carrying the cells to different parts of the body.

During surgery these Endometrial cells can be carried throughout the body. It is believed that this is how the cells get to other areas like the heart or brain, that are nowhere near the pelvis.

Endometriosis is also extremely hard to detect. I had complained to my doctor a number of times about pain, but it was not found until I had a routine Tubal ligation. Now I am fine because my Endometriosis was detected early on and removed with surgery. I was told by my doctor to be seen yearly for a OB-GYN exam and pelvic ultrasound. Still, I am uneasy with the fact that it can return anytime.

What bothers me more is that over one million women in America have this condition, with little information on what causes it.

If you have been diagnosed with Endometriosis go here for more information. Other than that, keep having annual check ups. If any sudden of strong pains occur contact a doctor.