2008 Woodie Awards
Endometriosis
An under publicized condition that affects women
Dawn Hughes
Issue date: 2/15/07 Section: News
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Endometriosis is a word that many women have heard. However, most women don't know that much about this condition. Almost every person has probably met or knows a woman with endometriosis.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, endometriosis is a condition where "tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas" including the ovaries, uterus, or the fallopian tubes.
Womenshealth.gov states, "patches of endometriosis also respond to a woman's monthly cycle. Each month the growths add extra tissue and blood, but there is no place for the built-up tissue and blood to exit the body. For this reason, growths tend to get bigger and the symptoms of endometriosis often get worse over time."
It continues to say that "tissue and blood that is shed into the body can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pain. As the misplaced tissue grows, it can cover or grow into the ovaries and block the fallopian tubes. This can make it hard for women with endometriosis to get pregnant. The growths can also cause problems in the intestines and bladder." In fact the growths can become so extensive through the pelvic cavity as to cause a condition known as a "frozen pelvis" where the internal organs actually fuse together.
"About five million women in the United States have endometriosis. This makes it one of the most common health problems for women," states the Department. It also states that women have symptoms for two to five years, on average, before finding out they have the disease. Also, according to endometriosis.org, 30-40 percent of women with endometriosis are subfertile.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that the most common symptom is intense pelvic pain, usually during the period. However, women can also experience pain during ovulation and during and/or after sex. Some other symptoms include, lower back pain, fatigue, heavy and/or long periods, and infertility.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, endometriosis is a condition where "tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas" including the ovaries, uterus, or the fallopian tubes.
Womenshealth.gov states, "patches of endometriosis also respond to a woman's monthly cycle. Each month the growths add extra tissue and blood, but there is no place for the built-up tissue and blood to exit the body. For this reason, growths tend to get bigger and the symptoms of endometriosis often get worse over time."
It continues to say that "tissue and blood that is shed into the body can cause inflammation, scar tissue, and pain. As the misplaced tissue grows, it can cover or grow into the ovaries and block the fallopian tubes. This can make it hard for women with endometriosis to get pregnant. The growths can also cause problems in the intestines and bladder." In fact the growths can become so extensive through the pelvic cavity as to cause a condition known as a "frozen pelvis" where the internal organs actually fuse together.
"About five million women in the United States have endometriosis. This makes it one of the most common health problems for women," states the Department. It also states that women have symptoms for two to five years, on average, before finding out they have the disease. Also, according to endometriosis.org, 30-40 percent of women with endometriosis are subfertile.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services states that the most common symptom is intense pelvic pain, usually during the period. However, women can also experience pain during ovulation and during and/or after sex. Some other symptoms include, lower back pain, fatigue, heavy and/or long periods, and infertility.
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