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Women’s health & fitness guide

Endometriosis is a very painful condition which is found in women of childbearing age, endometriosis occurs when the tissue which lines the uterus starts to grow outside of the uterus. This tissue will usually grow on the fallopian tubes, outer surface of the uterus, the bowels and very occasionally it can develop onto other organs in the body.

These growths are called implants and they will continue to grow, bleed and break down just as the tissue does inside the uterus, which causes the woman’s monthly period.

What problems can endometriosis cause?

The implants can cause a great deal of pain and make it extremely difficult for the women if she is trying to conceive, the implants can sometimes cause scar tissue which can interfere with the normal functioning of organs. The exact cause of endometriosis is not known but it is thought that the female hormone oestrogen makes the condition worse; it is thought that women between the ages of 20 and 40 are more likely to suffer the condition and the condition goes away after her periods stop.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

While some women suffer a great deal from the condition others have been known to show very little symptoms, however the more common symptoms are:

• Pain – the exact location of the pain will depend on where the implants are growing in the body, areas of pain could vary from low in the stomach, the lower back, the rectum or the vagina itself.
• Abnormal bleeding – this will vary from very heavy bleeding, spotting, bleeding between periods or bleeding during or after sex.
• Infertility problems – this can sometimes be the only symptom that a women will have and unless they seek help for infertility the condition can be there without them realising anything is wrong.

How is the condition diagnosed?

As there are many reasons for problem periods your doctor will need to ask you about your periods, any symptoms that you have, your health in the past and if there is a history of endometriosis in the family. The doctor will also probably perform a pelvic examination which will include checking both the vagina and rectum.

If the doctor thinks that you might have endometriosis then they might suggest that you take medication, if the symptoms improve while you are taking this medication then you will almost certainly have it. The only way your doctor can be absolutely positive however is to have surgery, which is called a laparoscopy.

How is the condition treated?

There are several methods of treating the condition though there is no cure, your doctor will probably suggest that you try several to see which is more effective for you. The choice of treatment will also depend on if you just want to relieve pain or if you are trying to conceive, if you are trying to conceive then surgery might be the better option, if you just need to relieve symptoms of pain then medication might be a better choice.