Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common yet poorly understood disease that can affect women of any socioeconomic class, age, or race. It is estimated that between 10 and 20 percent of American women of childbearing age have endometriosis. While some women with endometriosis may have severe pelvic pain, others who have the condition have no symptoms.

The name endometriosis comes from the word "endometrium," the tissue that lines the inside of a woman's uterus. If a woman is not pregnant this tissue builds up and is shed each month-it is discharged as menstrual flow at the end of each cycle. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue is found outside the uterus, usually inside the abdominal cavity.

Endometrial tissue residing outside the uterus responds to the menstrual cycle similar to the way normal endometrium in the uterus usually responds. At the end of every menstrual cycle, when hormones cause the uterus to shed its endometrial lining, endometrial tissue growing outside the uterus will break apart and bleed. However, unlike menstrual fluid from the uterus, which is discharged from the body during menstruation, blood from the misplaced tissue has no place to go. Tissues surrounding the area of endometriosis may become inflamed or swollen and the trapped blood may lead to the growth of cysts. The inflammation may produce scar tissue around the area of endometriosis.

Endometriosis is most often found in the ovaries, on the fallopian tubes and the ligaments supporting the uterus, in the internal area between the vagina and rectum, on the outer surface of the uterus, and on the lining of the pelvic cavity. Infrequently, endometrial growths are found on the intestines or in the rectum, on the bladder, vagina, cervix, and vulva (external genitals), or in abdominal surgery scars.

Having endometriosis does not increase a woman's risk for developing uterine cancer. Although some oncologists believe that women with endometriosis are at greater risk for ovarian cancer, the National Cancer Institute does not consider endometriosis to be a risk factor.

For more information on endometriosis and for a consultation, please contact Dr. Singh and LifeStart Fertility Center.