Endometriosis

Moved to medical

Endometriosis... ummm...

the inside lining of the uterus (womb) is called the endometrium. The endometrium has different type of cells to the womb, these are the cells that are 'shed' during menstruation (bleeding). Each month of your cycle sees these cells multiply and then wash away. Now, the cells should just be on the lining of the womb only, but sometimes they can be found in other places in the pelvis, such as the ovaries or the cervix or just in the cavity of the pelvis. this is called endometriosis. If they are found in different places, they still go through the same kind of cycle as the cells that are in the womb... they multiple and then bleed. This sometimes causes pain, a little like menstrual pain, but perhaps worse depending on where these stray cells are found. Now, sometimes there are only a few odd stry cells found here and there and that isn't too much of a problem. If this is the case, endometriosis can be very difficult to actually diagnose for sure. But sometimes the cells can cause what is called and endometrioma... otherwise known as a chocolate cyst, because that's what it looks like n ultrasound. This is a cyst that has grown over time due to bleeding, but the blood doesn't have anywhere to go so it forms a cyst and each month it gets bigger... but it takes a very long time for this to become a problem. this cyst isn't dangerous, it is benign so can easily be operated on, but this isn't too common. One of the worse problems associated with endometriosis is that is can affect fertility, depending on where thos stray cells are. But, optimistically speaking, there is always treatment. sometimes it's harder when those stray cells can't be found, the discomfort may then have to be accepted. Hope that helps. Just do a google search, you'll find out more that way.