Endometriosis, symptoms and why it causes pain and health problems

 Endometriosis, sometimes called "endo," is a common health problem in women. It gets its name from the word endometrium, the tissue that normally lines the uterus or womb. Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside of your uterus and on other areas in your body where it doesn't belong.

Most often, endometriosis is found on the:

• Ovaries
• Fallopian tubes
• Tissues that hold the uterus in place
• Outer surface of the uterus

Other sites for growths can include the vagina, cervix, vulva, bowel, bladder, or rectum. Rarely, endometriosis appears in other parts of the body, such as the lungs, brain, and skin.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include:

• Pain. This is the most common symptom. Women with endometriosis may have many different kinds of pain. These include:
  • Very painful menstrual cramps. The pain may get worse over time.
  • Chronic (long-term) pain in the lower back and pelvis
  • Pain during or after sex. This is usually described as a "deep" pain and is different from pain felt at the entrance to the vagina when penetration begins.
  • Intestinal pain
  • Painful bowel movements or pain when urinating during menstrual periods. In rare cases, you may also find blood in your stool or urine.
• Bleeding or spotting between menstrual periods. This can be caused by something other than endometriosis. If it happens often, you should see your doctor.
• Infertility or not being able to get pregnant.
• Stomach (digestive) problems. These include diarrhea, constipation, bloating, or nausea, especially during menstrual periods.

Why it causes pain and health problems 

Endometriosis growths are benign (not cancerous). But they can still cause problems.

Endometriosis happens when tissue similar to the lining on the inside of your uterus or womb grows outside of your uterus or womb where it doesn't belong. Endometriosis growths may swell and bleed in the same way the lining inside of your uterus does every month — during your menstrual period. This can cause swelling and pain because the tissue grows and bleeds in an area where it cannot easily get out of your body.

The growths may also continue to expand and cause problems, such as:

• Blocking your fallopian tubes when growths cover or grow into your ovaries. Trapped blood in the ovaries can form cysts.
• Inflammation (swelling)
• Forming scar tissue and adhesions (type of tissue that can bind your organs together). This scar tissue may cause pelvic pain and make it hard for you to get pregnant.
• Problems in your intestines and bladder

How Does Endometriosis Cause Infertility?

The pain of endometriosis can interfere with day-to-day activities as well as fertility, since the displaced tissue can cause inflammation, affecting the eggs, or adhesions, making it harder for the sperm and egg to unite. Scarring may block the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and the inflammation can damage egg and trigger changes in the uterine lining that make it less receptive to implantation of an embryo.