Endometriosis

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is endometriosis?

• Endometriosis (en-do-me-tre-o-sis) is a disease when tissues of the endometrium are outside the uterus (womb). The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. The uterus is where a baby grows when a woman is pregnant.
  
  
• Normally, the endometrium sheds when you have a monthly period. With endometriosis, endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus and into the pelvic area. This tissue may also shed and get trapped in your ovaries, tubes, or bladder. Patches of tissue may form and grow between other organs, making them stick together. This may cause inflammation (swelling) and pain. Endometriosis is more common in women of childbearing years.

What causes endometriosis? Caregivers do not exactly know what causes endometriosis. Endometriosis is not cancer. The following may put you at a higher risk for having endometriosis:

• Early menstruation: You may have started your monthly period at a young age.
  
  
• Family history: Your mother or sister had endometriosis.
  
  
• Genetic: You may have been born with a narrowing of the cervix or vagina. You could also have been born without any opening of your cervix or vagina.
  
  
• Immune system: Having a weakened immune system may cause endometriosis. The immune system prevents and fights infection.
  
  
• Other: Not having children or having your first child after 35 years may increase your risk of endometriosis.

What are the signs and symptoms of endometriosis? The most common symptom of endometriosis is abdominal (stomach) cramping or pain before or during your monthly period. This pain may be worse than your normal monthly period. You may have any of the following:

• Painful periods (Dysmenorrhea).
  
  
• Feeling full or bloated.
  
  
• Dizziness or fatigue (feeling more tired than usual).
  
  
• Heavy periods, or prolonged vaginal bleeding at times other than your monthly period.
  
  
• Infertility (unable to get pregnant).
  
  
• Lower back pain or painful bowel movements (BMs) during your monthly periods.
  
  
• Pain during or after sex.
  
  
• Pain when passing urine.

How is endometriosis diagnosed? You may have any of the following tests:

• Vaginal ultrasound: This simple test uses sound waves to show pictures of the inside of your uterus (womb) and ovaries. A small tube is placed into your vagina. Pictures of your uterus and ovaries are seen on a TV-like screen.
  
  
• Laparoscopy: This is surgery to look inside your abdomen. Caregivers may remove a piece of tissue from your ovaries, tubes, bowels, or other organs. The tissues are sent to a lab for tests to see if endometriosis is present.
  
  
• CA-125 test: This blood test measures the level of a chemical called CA-125.
  
  
• Magnetic resonance imaging scan: This test is also called an MRI. During the MRI, pictures are taken of your abdomen and pelvic (hip) areas. You will need to lie still during a MRI. Never enter the MRI room with an oxygen tank, watch, or any other metal objects. This can cause serious injury.
  
  
• Urine sample: A sample of your urine is collected and sent to a lab for tests. Your caregiver may give you a special wipe and clean cup. Use the wipe to clean the skin around the opening where you pass urine. Urinate into the clean cup. Put the lid on the cup. Do not touch the inside of the cup or the lid. Give the urine sample to your caregiver.

How is endometriosis treated? You may have any of the following:

• Hormone therapy: This medicine prevents monthly periods. Hormone medicine shrinks endometrial tissue and decreases your pain.
  
  
  • Hormone therapies include:
    
    
  • Oral contraceptives.
    
    
  • Danazol (Danocrine).
    
    
  • Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesteerone).
    
    
  • Gonadotrpin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) agonists and antagonists (See Mayo Clinic topic endometriosis).
  
  
• Surgery: You may have surgery to see if you have endometriosis. During surgery, endometrial tissue that is growing in the wrong places may be removed.

Where can I find support and more information? Endometriosis can be a life-changing disease for you and your family. Accepting that you have endometriosis may be hard. You and those close to you may feel scared, angry, or sad. These feelings are normal. Talk to your caregivers, family, or friends about your feelings. You may also want to join an endometriosis support group. This is a group of people who also have endometriosis. Contact the following for more information:

• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
  409 12th Street, SW
  Washington, DC 20090
  Phone: 1-202-638-5577
  Web Address: http://www.acog.org
  

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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