| Endometriosis is a condition that can
prevent pregnancy in a woman. It is a disease that is
fairly common and can afflict women from their first
menstrual cycle through menopause. In rarer cases,
endometriosis can affect post-menopausal women as well.
Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis. As well,
general practitioners often have a difficult time
diagnosing endometriosis.
Endometriosis occurs when the
endometrium, or uterine lining, grows outside of the
uterus. It may grow in areas such as around the ovaries,
in the pelvic cavity, sometimes even the bowels or in
the bladder. Although very rare, the endometrium can
also grow in the lung area.
As the condition progresses, the
growths develop into "tumors" or
"implants." While the reference to tumors can
be unnerving, endometrium growths are not cancerous or
malignant. However, the condition can be severely
painful, cause heavy menstruation, and can prevent
pregnancy in some cases.
Endometriosis symptoms include pain
that is localized in the pelvic, abdominal, or lower
back areas. The severity of the pain does not directly
correlate with the amount of endometriosis present in
these areas. One can have a small amount of
endometriosis growth and feel severe pain. Conversely,
one can have a large area of endometriosis growth and
feel no pain.
Women who have pain in these areas
might want to consult with their gynecologist.
Gynecologists are specially trained to diagnose
endometriosis. An MRI or ultrasound should be able to
detect endometriosis, but it is not always the best way.
A definitive diagnostic procedure is a laparoscopy. A
laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that involves
inserting a tube with an attached light into the
abdomen. This procedure will determine the location,
size, and extent of the condition. Once endometriosis is
detected, treatment options are discussed with the
gynecologist, which includes medication, hormone
treatments, and surgery.
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