Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue from inside your uterus also grows outside of your uterus. This can cause pain, since the tissue continues to break down as it would during your menstrual cycle, except there is no place for the broken down tissue to go.

Symptoms

  • Pain in the lower abdomen, especially during your period or sexual intercourse
  • Infertility
  • Excessive bleeding during periods

Treatment

Medication is often prescribed, specifically pain medicine and hormone pills or oral contraceptives. Surgery is an option, especially for women trying to become pregnant, and there are different types of surgical procedures designed to reduce or end your endometriosis. Conservative surgery aims to remove as much excess tissue as possible without changing your fertility. If you no longer wish to become pregnant, a hysterectomy or endometrial ablation can be performed. Both of these options will result in infertility as a hysterectomy removes your uterus and endometrial ablation permanently destroys the lining of your uterus.

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