| The true cause of endometriosis is unknown, but | | | | tissue. |
| there are a few widely accepted theories. If you | | | | Endometrial tissues are the same types of cells that |
| have been diagnosed with endometriosis, then you | | | | your uterine lining is composed of. Therefore, the |
| may have some questions about its causes, | | | | endometriosis reacts to hormones in much the same |
| problems, and symptoms. | | | | way that your uterus does. As hormonal signals tell |
| Endometriosis is common for many women of | | | | your uterus to grow a lining, the endometriosis also |
| childbearing age. It is usually found when a woman | | | | grows. When hormonal changes cause the lining to |
| has problems conceiving and seeks the help of an | | | | shed, such as in menstruation, the endometriosis also |
| infertility specialist. Endometriosis occurs when cells | | | | sheds. This can cause considerable pain and even the |
| and tissues similar to your uterine lining grows outside | | | | pooling of blood. Implants can grow and interupt the |
| of the uterus. The cells and implants can grow on | | | | function of the organs that are near it. |
| your uterus, ovaries, inside of your abdominal cavity, | | | | The most common consensus among experts |
| and on surrounding organs. Endometriosis can cause | | | | concerning the cause of endometriosis is that uterine |
| serious, even life-threatening problems when it is left | | | | lining cells when shed, travelled up through the |
| untreated. | | | | fallopian tubes instead of out through the cervix. The |
| Symptoms of endometriosis include pain, from mild to | | | | cells were expelled from the fallopian tubes into the |
| severe, abnormal bleeding, and infertility. Some | | | | abdominal cavity, where they implanted and grew. |
| women have undetectable symptoms and the | | | | Most endometriosis implants are usually located on |
| endometriosis goes undiagnosed and untreated until it | | | | the outside of the fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. |
| is discovered through infertility treatments. The only | | | | No matter what the cause, endometriosis is a serious |
| way for endometriosis to be definitively diagnosed is | | | | condition that should not be ignored. It is a |
| through a laparoscopic surgery. | | | | progressive disease that only gets worse until |
| Laproscopy involves a small laparoscope being | | | | menopause. It will not get better on its own. Pain is |
| inserted through a small incision in your belly. The | | | | not an indicator of how severe endometriosis is. Mild |
| scope is a long tube that allows your doctor to look | | | | pain can occur with severe endometriosis while |
| around your abdominal cavity. Your reproductive | | | | severe pain can occur with mild endometriosis. If you |
| organs will be inspected and biopsies may be taken | | | | suspect that you may have endometriosis, do not |
| for study in the lab. Laparoscopic surgery is also used | | | | hesitate to get a diagnosis and immediately begin |
| to remove endometrial implants, cysts and scar | | | | treatment. |