Endometriosis causes pain in your abdomen, which may get much worse during your period. Take this risk assessment.
The tissue that lines the inside of your uterus is called endometrial tissue. Endometriosis is a disease that means some of this tissue has made its way outside your uterus. This tissue could end up on your ovaries, part of your intestines or in other areas in your pelvis. Chronic pelvic pain -- typically during menstruation -- is the most common indication of endometriosis, an incurable inflammatory condition that can cause infertility. Most patients develop endometriosis in their 30s and 40s, but some are in their teens and their 50s.
Endometriosis: It's Not Just Painful Periods
The tissue acts just like the tissue inside your uterus. It goes through a monthly change – getting thick, breaking down and bleeding. Because the tissue has nowhere to go, endometriosis causes pain in your abdomen. This pain may get much worse during your period.
Some women may only have pain during ovulation or intercourse; others experience pain only during bowel movements.
The pain you get with your period usually goes away with over-the-counter medications. The pain from endometriosis keeps you from going to work or school or from participating in social activities.
It's important to talk to your doctor about this pain. Among the treatments are anti-inflammatories; suppressing menstruation with a birth control or progesterone pill or intrauterine device; other hormonal treatments; nerve pain drugs or endometriosis-specific medications, and laparoscopic surgery to remove abnormal tissue.
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