Endometriosis: expansion of endometrium and its consequences 

Although endometriosis is gaining increasingly known to the public, there are still misconceptions and confusion about what this condition is about

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a painful disorder where the inner lining of the uterus, the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. The tissues grow around the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvis.

The issue with having endometrium outside of the uterus is that just like regular endometrium tissue, it follows the menstrual cycle. It grows, breaks down, and bleeds each month but cannot evacuate. This causes irritations and inflammations to the surrounding tissues and can develop scar tissues or adhesions

What are the symptoms?

Each cycle is a painful process, especially during the menstrual period. It can cause so much pain that the daily life of the affected woman is impacted. There is also a risk of fertility problems and discomfort during/after intercourse.

How to get a diagnosis and what are the treatments?

Getting a diagnosis can be very long and not always accurate. Doctors may not be able to diagnose endometriosis and getting the right diagnosis can take years. Once the diagnosis is settled, treatments are available, including hormonal therapy like Orilissa by AbbVie or progestin-only birth control pills, and pain medications (although NSAIDS often have limited effect). More biotech and MedTech projects are on their way to providing new solutions.

If you experience painful periods, discomfort during/after intercourses, excessive bleeding and/or infertility, you may want to consult your doctor so that the diagnosis process can start as soon as possible.