Endometriosis

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a disease that occurs when tissues of the endometrium grow outside of 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, fallopian tubes, or bladder. Patches of tissue may form and grow between other organs, making them stick together. This may cause inflammation (swelling) and pain.

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 narrow cervix or vagina. You could also have been born without any opening of your cervix or vagina.
  
  
• Immune system: Having a weak immune system may cause endometriosis. The immune system prevents and fights infection.
  
  
• Child birth: Not having children or having your first child after 35 years old may increase your risk of having 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 vaginal bleeding at times other than during your monthly period.
  
  
• Infertility (being unable to get pregnant).
  
  
• Lower back pain or painful bowel movements (BMs) during your monthly periods.
  
  
• Pain during or after sex.
  
  
• Pain when urinating.

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

You may have any of the following tests:

• Vaginal ultrasound: This 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.
  
  
• Blood tests: Your blood may be tested to measure the level of certain chemicals.
  
  
• 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: For this test you need to urinate into a small container. You will be given instructions on how to clean your genital area before you urinate. Do not touch the inside of the cup. Follow instructions on where to place the cup of urine when you are done.

How is endometriosis treated?

Your symptoms, such as painful monthly periods, and pain between periods may decrease with treatment. You may have any of the following treatments:

• Hormone therapy: This medicine may prevent monthly periods. Hormone medicine shrinks endometrial tissue and can decrease your pain. Hormone therapies include birth control pills, androgen hormone, and medicine that makes your body produce less of certain hormones.
  
  
• Surgery: Caregivers may suggest surgery to learn 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. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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