What is Endometriosis?
It’s Endometriosis Awareness Month and we wanted to share what it is and provide information about this disorder. Endometriosis is a painful disorder where similar tissue that usually lines the inside of your uterus begins to grow on the outside of the uterus. The tissue that grows on the outside of the uterus thickens, breaks down, and bleeds with each menstrual cycle, just like regular uterus lining. However, because this tissue is on the outside, it has no way to exit your body, and it becomes trapped. Johns Hopkins Medicine shares that about 2 to 10 percent of women in the United States between the ages of 25-40 have endometriosis.
What Are the Causes?
Although there is no exact cause for developing endometriosis, there are many theories and factors that may contribute to it.
- Retrograde Menstruation
- Transformation of Peritoneal Cells
- Embryonic Cell Transformation
- Surgical Scar Implantation
- Endometrial Cell Transport
- Immune System Disorder
What Are the Symptoms?
Some of the symptoms include:
- Painful Periods
- Lower Abdomen Pain Before or After Menstruation
- Cramps for One or Two Weeks Around Menstruation
- Heavy Menstrual Bleeding or Bleeding Between Periods
- Infertility
- Pain After Sexual Intercourse
- Bowel Movement Discomfort
- Lower Back Pain During Menstruation Cycle
What Are the Treatments?
This painful disorder does not have any cures, but there are methods to help reduce the pain. Your doctor may recommend more general treatments to see if it helps. If there are no improvements, then he or she may recommend a medical surgery if the condition does not improve. This decision will be made on a case by case basis.
If you are in need of medical assistance and it is not an emergency, our team is here for you. Our Urgent Care is open every day. Feel free to come in with no appointment needed.
Urgent Care hours:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Sunday: 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
