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