ENDOMETRIOSIS
About Endometriosis
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
Endometriosis gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus (womb). Tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus in other areas. These patches of endometriosis can be called growths, implants, lesions, or nodules.
Endometriosis is divided into four stages, stage 1 (least severe) to stage 4 (most severe).
Most endometriosis is found:
- behind the uterus
- on the tissues that hold the uterus in place
- on the bowels or bladder
- on or under the ovaries
Endometriosis is commonly found in the pelvis and is a condition where cells similar to those found lining the womb (uterus) are found in other parts of the body. Besides the pelvis, which includes inside or on the ovaries, behind the uterus and on the bowel and bladder, endometriosis can also be found in the lungs, chest cavity, abdominal wall scars, the navel and elsewhere in the body.
Each month that a woman is not pregnant, the uterus lining breaks down and becomes a menstrual period. The endometriosis tissue goes through a similar cycle during menstruation. This usually causes pain during periods, inflammation and scarring and can cause organs or structures to stick to each other and can lead to distortion of the normal anatomy.
The Pain caused by endometriosis affects patients, family, friends and society.
solve your queries
Endometriosis:
Facts or Fiction?
FACT
- Surgical removal of even mild endometriosis has been shown to improve a woman’s chances of getting pregnant.
- Women with untreated endometriosis are more likely to suffer a miscarriage.
- Endometriosis is often present for many years before the diagnosis is made.
- When women are cared for by expert surgeons, repeat operations are required less frequently.
FICTION
- Endometriosis is cured by pregnancy.
- All women with endometriosis have pain.
- Laparoscopic surgery is required every six months ‘just in case’ the condition has recurred.
- Ovaries containing endometriosis should always be removed.
- Drug treatment for endometriosis cures endometriosis.
- A hysterectomy is the best treatment for endometriosis.