What Is Endometriosis?

By Garcelina Duvantes


Endometrial cells are shed each month during menstruation. Endometriosis occurs when there is an overgrowth of endometrial cells. The overgrowths mimic the endometrial cells that are found inside the uterus and then form themselves in areas that are outside of the uterus. These cells are called endometriosis implants and they attach themselves to tissues surrounding the womb. Endometriosis implants are often found on the fallopian tubes, ovaries, on the surface of the pelvic cavity or they may even be found in the intestines, bladder, cervix or vagina. Endometriosis implants have even been found in the liver and around the lung and brain although this is quite rare. These implants are never cancerous.

Endometriosis often affects women who are still in their reproductive years. When it affects these women it makes fertility a challenge or it may stop reproduction altogether. Most women who have endometriosis are between the ages of 25 to 35. Although, girls as young as 11 have been known to develop endometriosis. Many women have endometriosis and have no symptoms. However some have severe pelvic pain. Endometriosis is one of the main causes of hysterectomies. It seems there is some ethnic bias where endometriosis in concerned as it is a condition more common to Caucasian women, than Asian women or women of African descent.

Endometriosis is very common in women of European descent and shows less numbers in asian women and women of African descent, no one is sure exactly why this is so. The reason endometriosis occurs has baffled several doctors and scientists for a long time. However some scientists have put forward the theory that the endometrial tissue actually gets to various parts of the body when the menstrual flow runs back up into the fallopian tubes and the pelvic cavity during menstruation.

There are certain medications that are commonly employed in the battle against endometriosis, these are contraceptives, progestins and Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs. Gonadotropin releasing analogs (GnRH) are useful for relieving pain. Pain can be a major problem for women suffering from endometriosis. These work by suppressing estrogen production in the woman's ovaries, in this way it stops the release of hormones from the pituitary gland .The menstrual flow ceases, creating an artificial menopause.

This form of treatment usually works well, as the oral contraceptives combine (estrogen and progesterone).Progestins are more powerful than birth control pills and are prescribed for women whose pain does not subside with birth control pills or they may not be able to take birth control pills.




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