Endometriosis is a clinical condition that affects around 10 – 15% of women during their reproductive years. In this condition, the tissue that normally lines the inner wall of the uterus, grows outside it such as on the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the fallopian tubes and the bowels or bladder. This can cause heavy bleeding, pain during menstruation, bleeding between menses and infertility (problems getting pregnant and having sex). Endometriosis is common in women and usually starts with menarche (when women start to have her periods) and mostly remains undiagnosed till the age of 25 – 35 years (usually when women plan to have a baby).
These growths stay in the body and respond to the ovarian hormones produced during menstruation, resulting in a normal menstrual blood flow. But over time, these growths increase in size due to accumulation of blood and tissues (called as cysts) leading to pain. The exact cause of endometriosis is still unclear, although there are many theories. But it has been found that the incidence of endometriosis is higher in women with a family history of the condition, abnormal uterus, frequent but heavy menstrual bleeding, early menarche and women who have never been pregnant.
Endometriosis can be diagnosed with a sonography (it usually shows cysts or enlarged uterus). When it comes to treatment options there is no permanent clinical solution for endometriosis, but there are medications and surgery to stop menstruation that provide temporary relief.
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