Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which uterine tissue begins to grow beyond the uterus, affecting other organs throughout the pelvic region and sometimes beyond. Symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain - which is often worse during a woman’s period - as well as inability to get pregnant and sometimes the development of ovarian cysts and scar tissue. Women who have endometriosis may also have irregular periods that include abnormally heavy bleeding or bleeding between periods. Women who have had numerous pelvic infections, whose direct female relatives have been diagnosed with the disorder, who have never had a baby or who have other uterine abnormalities are at greater risk for endometriosis. Effective medical treatments are available in the form of pain medications, hormone therapy and surgery.