National Endometriosis Month

Along with all the other things March has to offer, it is National Endometriosis Awareness Month. Many people don’t realize that more than five million women in the United States cope with endometriosis, a non cancerous disorder which is incurable and is the leading cause of infertility for women.

Very simply, endometriosis is caused when cells from the lining of the uterus find its way out of the uterus and attach on other organs. These organs include the fallopian tubes, ovaries, intestines, the exterior of the uterus or anywhere else inside the body cavity. These cells continue to react to the hormonal affects of menstruation, so when the cells get the order to die and shed, they do so, but cannot go with normal menstrual flow. The cell build up causes lesions and leads to all kinds of discomfort and often infertility.

The most common symptom women have is pain and discomfort associated with their menstrual cycle. The degree of pain can be misleading as to how dramatic the endometriosis is. There can also be bleeding, cramping, inflammation, adhesions and an inability to carry a pregnancy full term.

Many women experience no outward symptoms and may not even know they have the disease. Conversely, something that seems to be endometriosis could be something else.

In honor of Endometriosis Month, we’ll do a series on symptoms, treatments and the most common questions asked about this disease.

Source: AFA