What is endometriosis?

illustration: Duvet Days

I still get a lot of “endo-what?” when I tell people what’s up with my body. Fortunately, awareness is growing (hopefully this little site can help generate more!) and people are becoming better informed, which leads to better care for those suffering.

illustration: Duvet Days

Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs.

With endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal bands of fibrous tissue that can cause pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other.

Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period. Fertility problems also may develop. Fortunately, effective treatments are available. (1) 

Symptoms include:

  • Severe menstrual cramps

  • Lower-back and pelvic pain (can be long-term)

  • Periods lasting longer than 7 days

  • Shorter than normal cycles (sometimes only 3 weeks in length)

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding where the pad or tampon needs changing every 1 to 2 hours

  • Bowel and urinary problems

  • Bloody stool or urine

  • Nausea and vomiting

  • Fatigue

  • Pain during intercourse

  • Spotting or bleeding between periods

  • GI + digestive issues (bloating, IBS, constipation, diarrhea)

  • Mood swings

Why does endometriosis happen?

Researchers are looking into the potential causes, as no one is sure of a definitive reason yet:

Hormones. The hormone estrogen appears to promote endometriosis. Women with endometriosis likely have estrogen dominance.

Environmental factors. With the increasing exposure to toxins in our environment, our bodies are taking a toll. Plastics have been shown to release estrogenic chemicals, xenoestrogens are found in make-up, we are ingesting harmful hormones in meat given to the animal to promote their growth,

Problems with menstrual period flow. Retrograde menstrual flow is the oldest theory. Some of the tissue shed during the period flows through the fallopian tube into other areas of the body, such as the pelvis. (2)

Genetic factors. Endometriosis may be inherited in the genes. (2)

Immune system problems. A faulty immune system may not find and destroy endometrial tissue growing outside beyond the uterus. Immune system disorders can be more common in women with endometriosis. (2)