Endometriosis Awareness
3/5/2018 1:08:00 PM
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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