Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the tissue lining your pelvis.
Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs.
Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped.
When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form.
Endometriosis can cause painsometimes severeespecially during your period.
Fertility problems also may develop.
Fortunately, effective treatments are available.
The primary symptom of endometriosis is pelvic pain, often associated with your menstrual period.
They also tend to report that the pain increases over time.
IBS can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis.
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate endometriosis.
Endometriosis can be a challenging condition to manage.
The main complication of endometriosis is impaired fertility.
Approximately one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis have difficulty getting pregnant.
Endometriosis may obstruct the tube and keep the egg and sperm from uniting.
Even so, many women with mild to moderate endometriosis can still conceive and carry a pregnancy to term.
Doctors sometimes advise women with endometriosis not to delay having children because the condition may worsen with time.
Ovarian cancer does occur at higher than expected rates in women with endometriosis.
But the overall lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is low to begin with.
Some studies suggest that endometriosis increases that risk, but it’s still relatively low.
Although rare, another key in of cancerendometriosis-associated adenocarcinomacan develop later in life in women who have had endometriosis.
Tests to check for physical clues of endometriosis include:
Treatment for endometriosis is usually with medications or surgery.
Generally, doctors recommend trying conservative treatment approaches first, opting for surgery as a last resort.
Supplemental hormones are sometimes effective in reducing or eliminating the pain of endometriosis.
Hormone medication may slow endometrial tissue growth and prevent new implants of endometrial tissue.
Hormone therapy isn’t a permanent fix for endometriosis.
You could experience a return of your symptoms after stopping treatment.
Your doctor may do this procedure laparoscopically or through traditional abdominal surgery in more extensive cases.
Doctors often suggest one of these approaches if conservative surgery doesn’t work.
A hysterectomy is typically considered a last resort, especially for women still in their reproductive years.
you could’t get pregnant after a hysterectomy.
Finding a doctor with whom you feel comfortable is crucial in managing and treating endometriosis.
Some women report relief from endometriosis pain after acupuncture treatment.
However, research is sparse on thisor any otheralternative treatment for endometriosis.
Check with your insurance company to see if the expense will be covered.
Your first appointment will likely be with either your primary care physician or a gynecologist.
Don’t hesitate to ask your doctor to repeat information or to ask follow-up questions for clarification.
Sometimes it helps simply to talk to other women who can relate to your feelings and experiences.
If you could’t find a support group in your community, look for one on the internet.
Updated: 2016-08-20
Publication Date: 2001-03-02
