Definition
endometriosis is a common gynecological disease. When the endometrium grow outside the uterine cavity, we call it a endometriosis. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that behaves like the cells lining the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body. The disease normally can cause lower abdominal pain, irregular bleeding. It is also one main cause of infertility.
The tissue's abnormal growth (implant) typically occurs in the pelvic area, outside of the uterus, on the ovaries, bowel, rectum, bladder, and the delicate lining of the pelvis. However, the implants can occur in other areas of the body, too.
Endometriosis is a common problem. Sometimes, it may run in the family. Although endometriosis is typically diagnosed between ages 25 - 35, the condition probably begins about the time that regular menstruation begins.
Causes and Risk Factors
Women's ovaries produce hormones regularly in each month. The hormones stimulate the cells of the endometrium to multiply and prepare for ovulating a egg. The lining swells and gets thicker.
If these cells (called endometrial cells) grow outside the uterus, endometriosis results. Unlike cells normally found in the uterus that are shed during mense period, the ones outside the uterus don't. They sometimes cause a abnormal bleeding, but they heal and are stimulated again during the next cycle. Sometimes the bleeding cause a pain in lower abdomen.
The cause of endometriosis remains unknown, but there are a number of theories. One theory is that the endometrial cells loosened during menstruation may "back up" through the fallopian tubes into the pelvis. Once there, they implant and grow in the pelvic or abdominal cavities. This is called retrograde menstruation. This happens in many women, but there may be something different about the immune system in women who develop endometriosis compared to those who do not get the condition.
A woman who has a mother or sister with endometriosis is six times more likely to develop endometriosis than women in the general population. Other possible risk factors include:
· Starting menstruation at an early age
· Never having had children
· Frequent menstrual cycles
· Periodsthat last 7 or more days
· Problems such as a closed hyman, which block the flow of menstrual blood during the period.
Key words: endometriosis; endometriosos causes; endometriosis risk factors
