Endometriosis

Occurs when the endometrium cells which are found inside the uterus are found outside of the uterus and are capable of moving to other parts of the body. Although they can move almost any part of the body, endometriosis occurs in the pelvis.

The symptoms of Endometriosis vary from one person to another

Some women with endometriosis have been known to display no symptoms at all.

The two main symptoms that are cause by endometriosis are:

• Pain - the pain occurs in the place that the endometriosis has grown. It is mostly in the pelvis. It is mostly ‘cyclical‘, which means that it happens with your period. For many women, the first thing they notice is worsening pain with periods. Women with endometriosis often have pain with sex too.

• Trouble getting pregnant (sub-fertility or infertility) - endometriosis can make it difficult to get pregnant. Some women only have endometriosis diagnosed with they start trying to get pregnant

The treatment of endometriosis often involves both medication (tablets and injections) and surgery (laparoscopy to remove the endometriosis). Most women who have endometriosis will require both of these treatments at different stages of their lives. The choice of treatments depend on how bad the pain is, where the pain is and if you are trying to get pregnant.