Have you or anyone you know been affected by endometriosis? I wasn’t very familiar with this until a few years ago when my coworker experienced the very painful and quality of life effects of it. Well, I learned that March is Endometriosis Awareness Month and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t shed some light on this condition that affects 176 million women worldwide. It’s very important because it is the biggest cause of infertility in women.
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects an estimated one in 10 women during their reproductive years. Of the 176 million affected women worldwide it usually begins between the ages of 15 and 49. This conditions means that tissue (the endometrium), which lines the inside of a woman’s uterus, grows outside the uterus. It can involve the ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining the pelvis. When a woman has endometriosis, tissue acts like it is supposed to, except that it is thick, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Since the tissue is displaced it has no way to exit the body. This means that surrounding tissue can become irritated and eventually lead to scar formation and adhesions. The biggest problem as mentioned with endometriosis is infertility, however, it is estimated that up to 70 percent of mild to moderate cases will eventually allow for pregnancy without treatment.
Risk factors include:
- Family history- if you have a family member who has had it
- Pregnancy history- women who haven’t had children have higher risk
- Menstrual history- women with short, heavier or longer than normal cycles may be at higher risk
Symptoms:
- Pelvic pain-most common
- Painful periods
- Pain following intercourse
- Discomfort with bowel movements
- Heavy bleeding during or between cycles
- Lower back pain
- Inability to get pregnant
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