Endometriosis, the word is derived from the latin endo (inside) and metra (which means womb) is a disease where endometrial cells (cells that form the lining of the uterus) are deposited elswhere in your body, mostly on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, and on the pelvic sidewall. These cells act the same way as the cells inside your uterus, following your menstrual cycle, there is thickening, breaking down and menstruating.

The problem is that the blood has no place to go and can't exit your body in a natural way. The blood is trapped and can damage the tissue surrounding it. This can cause scar tissue, cysts and adhesions, ( tissue that sort of glues organs together),  and can also lead to fertility problems. Endometriosis can cause mild to severe pelvic and abdominal pain, mostly when you have your period. If left untreated the symptoms tend to worsen over time.

Endometriosis symptoms

Dysmenorrhea (painful periods): Cramping and pelvic/abdominal pain starting a couple of days before your period begins and extending well into your period.

Excessive bleeding: Having a heavy painful menstrual flow.

Pelvic pain when you're not menstruating: For example during intercourse, or when you ovulate, even going to the toilet can cause pain.

Infertility: Many women with difficulties to conceive, are suffering from endometriosis, the first diagnosis is often made as they visit the fertility clinic.

What causes endometriosis?

Researchers are still not certain about what causes of endometriosis, there are a number of theories though, one is about menstrual blood contaminating the fallopian tubes with endometrial cells, the cells stay behind in the fallopian tubes and start growing.

Another group of researchers are convinced that there are cells (left from you were an embryo) in a woman's abdomen that have the ability to grow into endometrical tissue. Many researchers also believe that endometriosis may be in the genes of certain families. So if your mother suffered from it, you might be at risk too.

Riskfactors

• Genetics, your mother, grandmother, aunts have endometriosis.
• Women who never gave birth.
• Being of Caucasian or Asian decent.
• Damage to the cells that line the uterus, for example infections of the uterus.
• Medical conditions preventing a natural passage of menstruation
    
Endometriosis usually starts a few years after a girl starts menstruating, only to stop as menopause kicks in and menstruation stops. The symptoms also stop during pregnancy, this is only temporarily though.

Treatment of endometriosis

There are a number of treating methods, usually a combination of medication and surgery.

 

Pain medication: To ease menstrual cramps and pain doctors recommend over the counter pain killers like ibuprofen. If these painkillers don't work then you can try alternative ways to ease the pain. Alternatives are:

Hormone therapy: This is a very effective way in handling endometriosis, it regulates your monthly menstrual cycle by hormones (like birh contol pills, nuva rings and patches) and gives you a lighter and shorter menstrual flow. Other hormone therapies are:

Gonadotropin: this drug prevents menstruation and lowers estrogen levels, it lets the endometrial tissue shrink and is really effective in easing the pain and symtoms or endometriosis. This drug creates an artificial menopause this causes side effects like hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Danazol and Medroxy progestorone: These drugs are like Gonadotropin, ovarian stimulating hormone blockers.

Hormones are a temporary solution to the problem and as soon as you stop talking them you can see a recurrence of the symptoms of endometriosis. The definite end to endometriosis will be menopause.

Surgery

Conservative surgery: The removal of endometrial tissue, adhesions or scartissue. Cleaning your reproductive organs without removing them, this procedure is often done if a woman has difficulties conceiving, or if she is in severe pain.

Hystorectomy: This is only being done as a last resort, it involves the removal of the uterus and the ovaries and puts women into menopause. Doctors are very reluctant to perform this procedure on women in their reproductive years because they can't get pregnant anymore.

If you think you might have endometriosis, then don't hesitate to visit your health professional, as there is alot that can be done to ease the symptoms.