top of page

Endometriosis

Let's break it down.

 

Tissue in the body can be defined as a group of cells that work together. There are many types of tissue in the body, and it comes in many different forms. For example, both muscle and fat are different types of tissue. While this may sound a little confusing, what is important to know is that we have tissue all over our bodies, and most tissue will be normal tissue because it will be doing the functions it is meant to do for us.

 

There is normal tissue that grows inside of the uterus (womb) called the endometrium. However in some women, similar tissue can grow outside of the uterus in places where it shouldn't be, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the pelvis. This is a condition called endometriosis.

The tissue in the womb thickens and comes out of the body each month during your period, so when the tissue grows in areas outside the uterus, it has no way to filter out of the body.

 

Therefore the tissue will build up, get stuck, and start to turn into cysts and creating scar tissue that begins to act like glue sticking the pelvic tissue and organs to each other.

 

How do I know if I have it?

If you are worried that you have endometriosis, it is important that you keep a log, such as a journal, of your symptoms. This is because endometriosis can often be difficult to diagnose, so this log of symptoms will help your doctor to better diagnose your pain.

 

If your medical team believes that you may have endometriosis, they will most likely recommend that they perform a procedure called a laparoscopy. This is a small surgery where the doctor will need to slide a camera on the end of a thin tube through a small cut in your belly. This camera will allow them to look for any tissue that is growing outside of the womb where it shouldn't be.

How can I fix it?

 

There is no cure for endometriosis and symptoms can range from minimal to severely affecting your daily life. Sometimes endometriosis can cause infertility. However, your pain might not be reflective of how serious your endometrosis is. Someone with little to no pain may have severe endometriosis and vice versa.

 

Who is most likely to get it?

 

Endometriosis will usually start within a few years after a woman starts her period, so you can be first diagnosed as a teenager or a young adult. While endometriosis has no cure, the condition may improve during pregnancy and even disappear after menopause if the woman does not take estrogen afterwards. Estrogren is a hormone produced by your body during your child-bearing years. It does a lot of wonderful things for your body, so your doctor may recommend taking estrogren after menopause.

 

So, what can I do for it?

 

Fortunately there are very effective treatments for endometriosis even though they are not permanent ranging from

  • over the counter pain killers
  • hormone medication
  • contraceptives - the pill, contraceptive pathc, an intrauterine system, and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues
  • minor surgery - this would be to cut unwanted tissue away
  • surgery - to remove affected organs i.e. the female reproductive organs

 

 

Let's break it down.

 

Tissue in the body can be defined as a group of cells that work together. There are many types of tissue in the body, and it comes in many different forms. For example, both muscle and fat are different types of tissue. While this may sound a little confusing, what is important to know is that we have tissue all over our bodies, and most tissue will be normal tissue because it will be doing the functions it is meant to do for us.

 

There is normal tissue that grows inside of the uterus (womb) called the endometrium. However in some women, similar tissue can grow outside of the uterus in places where it shouldn't be, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and the pelvis. This is a condition called endometriosis.

Graphic representation of Endometriosis

The tissue in the womb thickens and comes out of the body each month during your period, so when the tissue grows in areas outside the uterus, it has no way to filter out of the body.

 

Therefore the tissue will build up, get stuck, and start to turn into cysts and creating scar tissue that begins to act like glue sticking the pelvic tissue and organs to each other.

 

How do I know if I have it?

If you are worried that you have endometriosis, it is important that you keep a log, such as a journal, of your symptoms. This is because endometriosis can often be difficult to diagnose, so this log of symptoms will help your doctor to better diagnose your pain.

 

If your medical team believes that you may have endometriosis, they will most likely recommend that they perform a procedure called a laparoscopy. This is a small surgery where the doctor will need to slide a camera on the end of a thin tube through a small cut in your belly. This camera will allow them to look for any tissue that is growing outside of the womb where it shouldn't be.

How can I fix it?

 

There is no cure for endometriosis and symptoms can range from minimal to severely affecting your daily life. Sometimes endometriosis can cause infertility. However, your pain might not be reflective of how serious your endometrosis is. Someone with little to no pain may have severe endometriosis and vice versa.

 

Who is most likely to get it?

 

Endometriosis will usually start within a few years after a woman starts her period, so you can be first diagnosed as a teenager or a young adult. While endometriosis has no cure, the condition may improve during pregnancy and even disappear after menopause if the woman does not take estrogen afterwards. Estrogren is a hormone produced by your body during your child-bearing years. It does a lot of wonderful things for your body, so your doctor may recommend taking estrogren after menopause.

 

So, what can I do for it?

 

Fortunately there are very effective treatments for endometriosis even though they are not permanent ranging from

  • over the counter pain killers
  • hormone medication
  • contraceptives - the pill, contraceptive pathc, an intrauterine system, and gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogues
  • minor surgery - this would be to cut unwanted tissue away
  • surgery - to remove affected organs i.e. the female reproductive organs

 

 

Symptom list:

Endometriosis

piggy-bank.png

Financial support

Not all of us are able to afford the treatment we need. Search your insurance coverage, or check out what charities may be able to offer you for your condition.

p.s. Just because you have insurance, that doesn't mean that charities or other organizations are not able to support you too.

Emotional support

Whether it's a free counseling session or to find someone with a similar diagnosis, these Germie approved charities might be able to help. Click to explore their offerings!

Illustrated%20Waves_edited.jpg
bottom of page