Endometriosis

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells that form in the lining of the uterus. Some of these cells may, instead of being expelled from the body during the menstrual process, actually end up continuing their cycle elsewhere in the body. They then haveno way of leaving the body, so the material builds up and may attach itself to other organs in the lower abdomen, such as ovaries or bowel. This can produe a host of different symptoms, including in capacitating pain in the uterus, lower back, and organs in the pelvic cavity prior to and during menses; intermittent pain throughout the menstrual cycle; painful intercourse; excessive bleeding, including the passing of blood large clots and shreds of tissue during the menses; nausea; vomiting, and constipation during menses and sometime infertility. Because menstruation is typically heavy, iron-deficiency anemia is common. Women whose cycles are shorter than twenty-seven days and/or whose periods last longer than one week are at increased risk of anemia.

Most women who suffer from endometriosis have never been pregnant, and as many as 30 to 40 percent of women who report infertility problems actually have endometriosis. According to the Endometriosis Association, women who develop this condition have a history of more vaginal yeast infections, hayfever, eczema, and food sensitivities than most women. In addition, vulnerability to endometriosis appears to run in families. Unfortunately, many women fail to seek medical help because they mistake the symptoms of this disease for normal menstrual discomfort.