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The inner lining of the uterus is called the endometrium.
During pregnancy the endometrium becomes enriched with blood
vessels to give support to the growing fetus. During a normal
period when you are not pregnant, this cell lining fills with
blood and thickens in preparation for the pregnancy. If no
fertilized egg attaches itself to the wall, these endometrial
cells on the lining of the uterus breakdown and bleed out
through the vagina.
Endometriosis occurs when these cells break away and become
implanted outside the uterus, usually in other areas of the
pelvis. In the subsequent months these cells respond normally
to the monthly cycle; they fill with blood and thicken; and
then later they break down. However, they are not expelled
from the body; they form cysts, implants lesions and nodules.
These cells may attach themselves to the ovaries, behind
the uterus, on the bowels or bladder or on the tissues that
hold the uterus in place. It is the growth of endometrial
cells and the inability to eliminate the accumulated blood
in these other locations that cause the pain.
Among the typical symptoms of endometriosis include painful
or disabling cramps, chronic pelvic and lower back pain, pain
during or after intercourse, painful bowel movements or painful
urination during menstrual periods, heavy periods, premenstrual
spotting or bleeding between periods and fatigue. It is not
the amount of the endometriosis, but the location of it that
causes the pain.
It also can make pregnancy more difficult. It is one of the
major causes of female infertility.
Treatment of endometriosis falls into three categories. The
first category is pain medication if your symptoms are mild.
The pain medications may range from over-the-counter items
to stronger prescription drugs.
Hormone therapy can be used to help regulate menstrual activity
and thereby also the endometrial activity outside the uterus
where these displaced cells are located. This treatment may
reduce the symptoms; however, if the hormone therapy is stopped
for one reason or another, the growth and therefore the pain
will, in all likelihood, return.
There are a number of surgical procedures that can be used.
The goal of all these procedures is to remove these endometrial
growths. Your physician can outline the various alternatives
for you to consider.
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