Endometriosis Awareness
3/5/2018 1:08:00 PM - Nimkee Clinic

Endometriosis

(en-doe-me-tree-O-sis)

An often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. 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. Endometriosis can cause pain — sometimes severe — especially during your period.

Signs/Symptoms:

• Pelvic pain, often associated with your menstrual period.

• Painful periods (dysmenorrhea).

• Pain with intercourse.

• Pain with bowel movements or urination.

• Excessive bleeding with menstrual periods.

• Infertility (unable to become pregnant).

• Other symptoms: fatigue, diarrhea, constipation, bloating or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

Risk Factors:

Several factors place you at greater risk of developing endometriosis, such as:

• Never giving birth.

• Starting your period at an early age.

• Going through menopause at an older age.

• Short menstrual cycles — for instance, less than 27 days.

• Your menstrual flow is longer than seven days.

• Low body mass index.

• Alcohol consumption.

• One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis.

• Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the body.

• Uterine abnormalities.

For more information, please visit:

Mayo Clinic

www.marchintoyellow.org.au