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 Medical Conditions Endometriosis
Endometriosis This condition is the abnormal growth of the endometrium, the tissue lining the uterus, and affects as many as 50% of women. When this tissue grows on sites outside of the uterus (such as the ovaries, bladder, or bowel) it can lead to a number of symptoms. Women with endometriosis may complain of painful periods, difficulty getting pregnant, and pain in the pelvis. Many women have no symptoms. The exact reasons for this abnormal are not clear, but it seems that in these patients, some cells from inside the uterus flow backwards during the menstrual period. Cells flow out of the fallopian tubes onto other organs and continue to grow in nests. The nests grow in response to the estrogen and cause pain and scarring. Some patients have more endometriosis than others, but the amount of abnormal tissue does not always go along with the severity of the symptoms. The only way to definitely diagnose this condition is with surgery to take samples of abnormal areas. These samples would then need to be examined under a microscope. The surgery can be done with very small incisions (laparoscopy). Treatment of endometriosis can involve using medicines such as birth control pills or hormone shots for women who want to have children in the future. Pills and shots are ways of shutting off the supply of estrogen to the abnormal tissue and stop its growth. When the estrogen supply is returned, the tissue will grow again. If having children is not desired, then the removal of the uterus (hysterectomy) and possibly the ovaries may be needed. Such procedures can also be done with laparoscopy. |
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