MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that normally lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body. Endometriosis causes pain, irregular bleeding, and infertility. Where does the 'uterus tissue' grow? In endometriosis, the most common areas for the uterine tissue to grow are: the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. However, it can occur in other areas of the body as well. What Causes Endometriosis? The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown. What are the Symptoms of Endometriosis? Some women with endometriosis may not experience symptoms. If symptoms are present, the most common symptoms are: Increasingly painful periods Lower abdominal pain or pelvic cramps that can by felt for a week or two before menstruation Pain during or following sex Pelvic or low back pain that may occur at any time during the menstrual cycle Fatigue Painful Urination during periods Painful bowel movements during periods Premenstrual spotting Infertility ain before and during periods Can Endometriosis be Prevented? Since the exact cause is unknown, there is no proven prevention for endometriosis. Risk Factors for developing Endometriosis Some of the most common risk factors for endometriosis are: mother or sister with endometriosis early onset of menstrual periods regular menstrual cycles and periods lasting 7 or more days How is Endometriosis Diagnosed? Your doctor can perform a pelvic examination. During the pelvic examination, the doctor will look for lumpy, tender nodules. Your doctor may also perform a pelvic ultrasound and a laparoscopy. A laparoscopy usually shows the location, size, and extent of the growths Treatments for Endometriosis Endometriosis can be treated. Your doctor will prescribe medication based on the types and severity of your symptoms.
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