Endometriosis is a condition where the ‘Endometrium’, the tissue that lines the walls of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The ‘Endometrium’ is a vital lining of the uterus that acts as a cradle for the embryos during implantation. It is the most important part of a female reproductive system that is responsible for menstruation, pregnancy, and development of the embryo.

But the displacement of this Endometrium i.e. the growth of this Endometrium in other areas of the body can result in a painful disorder called Endometriosis.

But here’s why Endometriosis is such a painful disorder:

Though it looks like a tissues displacement, Endometriosis is the cause of a lot of pain and has a serious effect on the reproductive health of women. To completely understand the condition let us go back to its basic function:

During a normal menstrual cycle, a woman’s body produces hormones that thicken this endometrium so as to receive the fertilized egg after copulation. If the egg is not fertilized, the uterus sheds the endometrial lining which along with vaginal secretions, cervical mucus and unfertilized egg form the menstrual blood that is pushed out for every period.

So, what happens when the Endometrium grows outside the uterus?

When this same Endometrium tissue happens to grow on the outside of the uterus, it responds to the said hormones just like it would react if it was inside the uterus. The tissue continues to thicken, and then it sheds every month causing pain.

But as this tissue is formed outside the uterus, the broken tissue has no way out and so it gets deposited inside the body. This trapped tissue irritates the surround causing inflammation, pain and causing a host of medical complications.

The Symptoms of Endometriosis:

Painful periods, pain during sex and intense pelvic pain in between the periods are the general symptoms of Endometriosis. That said, the growth of endometrial tissue can happen in the vicinity of any body part. So, the symptoms depend on the locations of the tissue which include:

• Pain in the back, groin or abdomen.
• Pain during urination, especially during the periods.
• Unexplained fatigue, weakness and bloating.
• Fertility problems in women.
• Bowel and bladder problems.
• Surgery complications.

What makes Endometriosis a serious threat is it might go unnoticed until it is too late. Not all cases of Endometriosis show the symptoms. Almost a third of women discover this condition when they are a treatment for something else most notably, infertility. Endometriosis if left untreated can seriously impact your ability to get pregnant or can interfere with the development of the embryo in its early stages. So we advise you to consult your doctor if any of the above symptoms show-up.

Are you apprehensive about the treatment options or finding it hard to get the right doctor?

No problem. Dr Neelima Mantri has been successfully treating the above problems for many years now!