| Endometriosis is a disease of the female reproductive | | | | abdomen may have few symptoms and those with a |
| system. It is often painful and many times is hard to | | | | small amount of endometrial tissue suffer from severe |
| diagnose. In fact a definitive diagnosis cannot be made | | | | pain. |
| except by undergoing laparoscopic surgery. | | | | Even though many women experience the symptoms |
| Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial tissue that | | | | of endometriosis during their time of menstruation |
| lines the uterus makes its way to the abdominal cavity | | | | many others suffer from the constant pain and |
| and implants of the organs there. In most cases the | | | | discomfort no matter what time of the month it is. |
| endometrial cells implant on the ovaries, fallopian tubes | | | | Many women also experience pain during or after sex. |
| and large intestine. In rare cases the endometriosis | | | | This pain can get to the point where these women quit |
| may spread upward into the sternum and chest cavity. | | | | having sex and in some cases the pain can be so |
| This endometrial tissue reacts the same way to the | | | | great that it becomes impossible for these women to |
| woman's monthly menstrual cycle as the lining of the | | | | have intercourse. |
| uterus, except that when it sloughs off the nutrient rich | | | | Dysmenorrhea Painful Menstrual Periods is another |
| blood at the start of her period has nowhere to go | | | | symptom of endometriosis where the women |
| and accumulates in the abdominal cavity. It is this | | | | experiences deep pain in the lower abdomen and |
| monthly cycle of the endometrial cells and blood | | | | vagina. This does not affect all women with |
| accumulation that causes the many symptoms of | | | | endometriosis though. |
| endometriosis. | | | | Because the endometrial tissue can become attached |
| The trapped blood irritates the abdominal tissue which | | | | to non-reproductive organs such as the large intestine |
| can create cysts. These cysts can bleed or burst and | | | | or bladder abdominal swelling can occur. These |
| form scar tissue and adhesions. This scar tissue and | | | | women can also experience painful bowel |
| adhesions can actually tie the internal organs together | | | | movements, painful urination, bleeding from the rectum |
| causing pain and discomfort, particularly during a | | | | and nausea or vomiting before their period begins. |
| woman's period. | | | | Fatigue is a major symptom of endometriosis. The |
| This pelvic pain is the most common symptom | | | | constant pain and discomfort combined with the |
| associated with endometriosis. Many women | | | | bodies fight to rid itself of the trapped menstrual fluid |
| associate this pain with their period but do not realize | | | | does cause extreme exhaustion. As the endometrial |
| that it is caused by endometriosis. In fact, some | | | | tissue grows and expands in the abdominal cavity it |
| women with endometriosis experience little to no pain | | | | causes greater and greater fatigue. Women who |
| while others experience severe pain. | | | | suffer from endometriosis also run a greater chance |
| The other interesting thing about endometriosis is that | | | | of getting chronic fatigue syndrome. |
| the amount of endometrial tissue growing in the | | | | If you suffer from any of these endometriosis |
| abdomen has little bearing on the amount of pain a | | | | symptoms or think you may have endometriosis it is |
| woman may experience. It has been found that | | | | important that you schedule an appointment with your |
| women with large amounts of endometriosis in their | | | | gynecologist. |