Endometriosis

What is endometriosis, you ask? It is a condition in which the lining of the uterus called the endometrium flows up and outside of the uterus and attaches itself to organs. It can be found anywhere in the abdomen from the intestines to the bladder, to the fallopian tubes, and even on rare occasions, the lungs. These lesions respond to the woman's menstrual cycle as it would if it was in the uterus. It thickens, breaks down and bleeds. Since there is no where for it to go, this leads to internal bleeding, causes scar tissue, cysts, adhesions (abnormal tissue that binds organs together) and infertility.

The symptoms of endometriosis can be all or some of the following:

Pain During Sex

Pain Before or During Periods

Painful Urination or Bowel Movements During Period

Infertility

Pelvic Pain

Excessive Bleeding w/Clots

Bleeding Between Periods

Frequent or Constant Periods

Nausea, Vomiting, Fainting, Dizzy Spells, or Diarrhea—particularly just prior to, during, or after Periods

So as you can see, it can cause a whole lot of PAIN! The only way to really be diagnosed with it, is to have a laparoscopy done. This is a procedure in which a scope is inserted into the abdomen and the doctor is able to view if there are lesions on the organs. At that time, they may also be removed. However, a laparoscopy is not a permanent fix for endometriosis and it can can come back.

Birth control pills can be used to help keep the lesions at bay and possibly reduce them in size. There is also a chance the lesions will return after the BCP is discontinued. And obviously if you are trying to get pregnant, Birth Control Pills would not be the thing for you.

To learn more about endo,  click on the links below.

http://www.endometriosisassn.org/ Endometriosis Association

www.mayoclinic.com/health/endometriosis/DS00289

http://www.endometriosis.org/treatment.html ~ This one has a whole plethora of information as well as alternative treatment info. I love this site for all of its information it has on it.

http://www.endometriosissurgeon.com/AboutUs/DrRedwineandStaff/108294.aspx ~ Dr. Redwine, one of the world's leading experts in the treatment of endometriosis, located in Bend, OR. Valuable info on this site as well as resources.