Endometriosis is a common and potentially debilitating condition experienced by women of reproductive age. This disease is a common cause of chronic pelvic pain and is sometimes associated with infertility. Endometriosis affects one in 10 women of reproductive age, three in 10 women who are experiencing infertility, and seven in 10 women with chronic pelvic pain.
Endometriosis is the growth of tissue, similar to the kind that lines the uterus every month, elsewhere in your abdomen. This excess tissue responds to your menstrual cycle each month. When the tissue breaks down, it can lead to inflammation, causing pain. Common sites for endometrial growth are the ovaries, on the uterus and behind the uterus. It can also be found on the bladder, rectum and intestines.
There are treatment options for endometriosis that can improve your quality of life. The treatment options that are currently available can reduce your pain, shrink or slow the endometrial growth, preserve or restore your fertility, and prevent or delay recurrence of the disease. The right treatment option for you will depend on your age, how your symptoms affect your quality of life, your desire to have children and the extent of endometrial growth.
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