Endometriosis is a disease that causes problems for nearly 90 million women worldwide.  Endometriosis is one of the most common diseases in the world.  It is more common than both cancer and AIDS.  It is a condition where the the lining of the uterus or the endometrium grows outside of the uterus. (3) This "misplaced tissue" can be found on the ovaries, bladder, uterus, vagina, and cervix.  On rare occasions it can also be found far away from the reproductive organs.  If this disease is diagnosed early, and if one gets proper treatment for the disease it doesn't have to ruin one's life. 

1. 1.  What are the symptoms of endometriosis?
2. 2.  How do you know if you have endometriosis?
3. 3.  How do you know if you have endometriosis?
4. 4.  What causes endometriosis?
5. 5.  Are there any cures for endometriosis?

• internal endometriosis- This occurs when the endometrium has dipped into or invaded the muscle of the untrue.  Internal endometriosis usually found more commonly in older women between. (4)
• external endometriosis- This occurs when endometrium lining is found anywhere in the pelvis.  External endometriosis is more common in younger women. (4)

pain before and during period  pain during sexual intercourse  infertility  tiredness  gastrointestinal problems  pain when inserting a tampon vomiting rectal pain blood in stool tailbone pain tenderness around the kidneys hypertension constricting chest and shoulder pain difficulty breathing

www.endometriosis.org

How do you know if you have endometriosis?

    The only way to properly diagnose the disease is by a surgical procedure known as a laporoscopy. A laporoscopoy is the "direct visualization of the internal organs with an optical instrument and light inserted through the abdominal incision" [4(Sloane, 107)].
To find out more about laporoscopy check out this website- http://www.ivf.com/article3.html
 

What causes endometriosis?

    No one knows exactly what causes endometriosis, but there is strong evidence that the disease may be hereditary. There are studies that suggest that women who have endometriosis have family members with the disease as well, and mothers are likely to have daughters with the disease.  Currently there is a study in London being conducted called the OXEGENE study.  Researchers involved in this study are studying blood samples from sisters with endometriosis so that they can find a gene that causes the disease.  There are also theories that suggest that there may be environmental factors that contribute to the development of the disease. (2) Women should avoid toxins in the diet found in the following: 
                                             - contaminated fish 
                                             - bleached tampons, pads, and, napkins 
                                             - cleaning agents 

      Another theory called the Retrograde Menstruation Theory suggests that endometriail cells found in the uterus are pushed backwards through the fallopian tubes into the abdomen where they can grow.  Others suggests that the lymphatic system distributes the disease throughout the body. (1)

Are there any cures for endometriosis?

       There is no cure for endometriosis, but there are a variety of treatment options. Getting treatment depends upon the age of the woman, whether there is any pain, and whether or not she wants to become pregnant again. Here are some treatments available:

• Over the counter pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.(4)
• Hormonal therapies are available that can stop ovulation so that less pain is experienced. Danazol is a steroid that can be administered. It can suppress FSH and LH to prevent ovulation so that less pain is experienced. The majority of women who are prescribed Danzanol will experience less pain after 4-6 months, but once the usage of the drug is stopped the symptoms of endometriosos will come back. Danzaol does have side effects that may include, weight gain, muscle cramps, hot flashes, acne, facial hair growth, and voice deepening due to the decrease in estrogen found in the body. Women also may take oral progestin (provera) which is as effective as danzanol. Provera is cheaper and it does have less side effects. There are also some synthetic drugs available such as GnRH analogs. (4)
• Surgery is available to remove the excess tissues. (3) A hysterectomy can be performed without removing the ovaries, but it is still not a cure for the disease.(4)
• Traditional therapies and nutritional approaches can help to relieve pain.(1)

• Endo-Online- http://www.endometriosisassn.org (This site offers information for women about endometriosis.)
• www.endometriosis.org (This site offers facts for women with the disease and the review of a video titled "Endometrioso. The Inside Story" By Heather Guidone.)
• Endometriosis Research Center- www.endocenter.org (This site offers alternative solutions for getting treatment for the disease.)
• A Woman's Guide to Overcoming Endometriosis- http://www.ivf.com/endohtml.html- This web site offers a lot of information about endometriosis and the OXEGEN study.

1. 1. Endometriosos Research Center- www.endocenter.org
2. 2. www.endometriosis.org
3. 3. Endo-Online- www.endometriosisassn.org
4. 4. Sloane, Ethel.  Biology of Women.  Delmar: New York,  2002.