What is Endometriosis??
“Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects 5 1/2 million women and girls in the USA and Canada, and millions more worldwide.” (taken from www.endometriosisassn.org) Basically endometriosis is a condition where endometrium (tissue the lines the uterus) grows in places it should not (outside the uterus). “This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: Each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation — and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.” (also taken from www.endometriosisassn.org). On average a woman visits 4-5 doctors about her pain & problems before she is accurately diagnosed.
Now you are probably asking yourself “why on earth is she writing about this on here?” The reason is I may have Endometriosis. I have an aunt who has endometriosis, my mother has just informed me of this. She has many of the symptoms I am experiencing according to my mother. I have been noticing more and more pain over the last two years and have previously tried talking to a doctor about this.
After visiting my doctor last week and having my annual exam done I was told that endometriosis can only be diagnosed after laparoscopy is performed. My doctor said that having the inpatient surgery just to find out if I have it is “a bit much”. So for now we are experimenting with different types of birth control to limit my periods. This is supposed to help the pain and scaring if I do have endometriosis…
Anywho, I was amazed that this is a fairly undiagnosed disease that affects many women. I just wanted to share my experience and encourage everyone to learn more about this condition…
If you have concerns about endometriosis there are several websites with helpful information:
www.endometriosisassn.org
www.endometriosis.org
www.centerforendo.com
www.endocenter.org
any one suffering from endometriosis facing infertility for the last seventeen years would ever be able to bear a child.If not what treatment can she get and where.please possibly guide.
Talina,
I love you, and am unspeakably delighted with discovering your website, but I hope I am not the aunt you describe as not being able to have children. Like you I have suffered from endometriosis, and even had two terrible ectopic pregnancies fail, one of which almost cost me my life. However, my doctors have assured me that with a simple outpatient laproscopic procedure to clear the endometric scarring I can most certainly have children. Don’t think that this is out of your reach either!
I have been treated for endometriosis starting at age 13. I had the laproscopic surgery done at age 14. I have successfully had 3 children with no fertility treatments. Thru my teen years I tried many experimental (at the time) treatments and I had a wonderful doctor.