Approximately one in 10 women suffers from endometriosis and may not know it. Some associated it with PMS, but more often than not it is a condition that wrecks havoc each month on thousands of women. Endometriosis occurs when the uterine tissue migrates to other parts of the abdomen. When left untreated it causes pain and in some cases infertility. Some women have symptoms for two to five years before finding out they have the disease.

The pain of endometriosis does interfere with your life. Symptoms of endometriosis are: pelvic pain during/after sex or going to the bathroom, breakthrough or heavy bleeding, back pain, severe pelvic and/or intestinal pain before or during your cycle, painful cramps and infertility. Studies show that women who have endometriosis often skip school, work, and social events due to the pain. This health problem could also interfere with your spouse, friends, children, and co-workers if not treated.

Scientists have several theories as to the cause of endometriosis. We know it does run in families. You are six times more likely to suffer from endometriosis if your mother or sister has it. This theory suggests that endometriosis is caused by genes.

Another theory is that during a woman’s monthly cycle, small endometrial tissue backs up into the abdomen through the fallopian tubes. This transplanted tissue then grows outside the uterus. Many researchers think a faulty immune system plays a part in endometriosis. In women with the disease, the immune system fails to find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside of the uterus. Plus, a recent study shows that immune system disorders (health problems in which the body attacks itself) are more common in women with endometriosis. More research in this area may help doctors better understand and treat endometriosis.

The first step to find out if you have endometriosis is see your gynecologist or reproductive endocrinologist. If endometriosis is causing you fertility problems, laparoscopy/surgery can boost your chances of getting pregnant. Your doctor may run a few imaging tests such as an ultrasound or MRI to see if you have larger than normal “growths”. These growths are normally benign or not cancerous and are normally seen in women with endometriosis.

Unfortunately there is no cure for endometriosis. Many treatments and medicine can control the symptoms relieve the pain. Traditionally, women have taken hormone medications or undergone surgery to ease the pain. A few breakthroughs are producing new remedies, and could possibly be a sign of relief for those who suffer. Doctors are starting to prescribe letrozole (Femara is the brandname), a medication that is typically used to prevent breast cancer to recurrence. Endometriosis cells rely on estrogen to grow as breast cancer, and letrozole works by blocking production of this hormone. Also scientists are studying immune cells in mice that encourage the growth of endometrial tissue and blood vessels so that somewhere in the future they can use the immune-system cells to develop a treatment.

You can find out more about endometriosis by contacting the National Women’s Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662 or the following organizations:

Endometriosis Association
Phone Number(s): (414) 355-2200
Internet Address: http://www.endometriosisassn.org/

Endometriosis Research Center
Phone Number(s): (800) 239-7280
Internet Address: http://www.endocenter.org/

By: Trish Kellogg