Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common disorder in which endometrial-like tissue grows where it isn’t meant to be. Endometrial tissue is the tissue that grows and sheds in the uterus. In most cases, this growth happens on and around organs in the pelvic cavity.

The tissue in endometriosis acts similarly to that inside the uterus: it grows, thickens, and tries to shed with every menstrual cycle. Since the tissue has no way of leaving the body, it can cause adhesions, nodules, and lesions which trigger an inflammatory response . This can lead to pain and other complications, like infertility .

One estimate is that 10.8 million people are affected globally as of 2015. Other sources estimate about 6–10% of women are affected.Endometriosis is most common in those in their thirties and forties; however, it can begin in girls as early as eight years old. It results in few deaths

Symptoms 

  

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea). Pelvic pain and cramping may begin before and extend several days into a menstrual period. You may also have lower back and abdominal pain.
• Pain with intercourse. Pain during or after sex is common with endometriosis.
• Pain with bowel movements or urination.You're most likely to experience these symptoms during a menstrual period.
• Excessive bleeding. You may experience occasional heavy menstrual periods or bleeding between periods (intermenstrual bleeding).
• Infertility. Sometimes, endometriosis is first diagnosed in those seeking treatment for infertility.
• Other signs and symptoms. You may experience fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

The severity of your pain isn't necessarily a reliable indicator of the extent of the condition. You could have mild endometriosis with severe pain, or you could have advanced endometriosis with little or no pain.

       Diagnosis 

Tentative evidence suggests that combined oral contraceptives reduces the risk of endometriosis.Exercise and avoiding large amounts of alcohol may also be preventive.There is no cure for endometriosis but a number of treatments may improve symptoms.This may include pain medication , hormonal treatments or surgery.The recommended pain medication is usually a non-steroidal anti-flammatory drug (NSAID), such as naproxen.Taking the active component of the birth control pill continuously or using an intrauterine device  with progestin may improve the ability of those who are infertile to get pregnant.  Surgical removal of endometriosis may be used to treat those whose symptoms are not manageable with other treatments.

Proper counseling of women with endometriosis requires attention to several aspects of the disorder. Of primary importance is the initial operative staging of the disease to obtain adequate information on which to base future decisions about therapy. The woman's symptoms and desire for childbearing dictate appropriate therapy. Not all therapy works for all women. Some women have recurrences after surgery or pseudo-menopause. In most cases, treatment will give women significant relief from pelvic pain and assist them in achieving pregnancy.