Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside the uterus. This tissue can grow on any part of the reproductive system or nearby organs, such as:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Lining of the pelvis
• Bowel
• Bladder

Endometriosis affects approximately 10 percent of menstruating women. For many people with endometriosis, the condition starts at their first menstrual period and lasts until menopause.

Symptoms

Pelvic pain, especially when you have your period, is the most common symptom of endometriosis. This pain is generally much worse than "normal" cramps. 

Other symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful periods that last for a long time
• Pain during sex
• Pain during bowel movements or urination, especially before or during your period
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Infertility

Some people's symptoms get better after pregnancy or during menopause.

Treatments

There's no cure for endometriosis and treatment will depend on your symptoms and how severe they are.

Usually, a doctor will recommend pain medications first. If you're not trying to get pregnant, they may also prescribe hormone therapy, including hormonal birth control and medications called GN-RH agonists and antagonists, which put you into artificial menopause.

If medications don't help, you may need surgery to remove the abnormal tissue growing outside the uterus. This type of surgery may help if you're trying to get pregnant.

Risk Factors

While doctors don't know what causes endometriosis, there seem to be some things that increase your risk, such as:

• Starting your period young
• Never giving birth
• Going through menopause later in life
• Short menstrual cycles
• Having a relative with endometriosis
• Having high levels of estrogen
• Conditions that prevent blood from flowing out of your body during periods such as retrograde menstruation