What is Endometriosis Anyway?

I never would have known what endometriosis was before I got diagnosed with it. I've been asked a few of the same questions, so I thought I would clear things up!

What is endometriosis?

"Endometriosis is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus (endometrial implant). Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, bowel or the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond your pelvic region.

In endometriosis, displaced endometrial tissue continues to act as it normally would — it thickens, breaks down and bleeds with each menstrual cycle. Because this displaced tissue has no way to exit your body, it becomes trapped. When endometriosis involves the ovaries, cysts called endometriomas may form. Surrounding tissue can become irritated, eventually developing scar tissue and adhesions — abnormal tissue that binds organs together."

                                                   Source: www.mayoclinic.org                                                  

What does endometriosis feel like?

Endometriosis is actually really painful. I actually had no idea how excruciatingly painful is was until after I had the surgery and had the disease removed. I was so surprised! I had nothing to compare it to! And, I had realized I have had it my entire life. The first few days of my period was always the worst. I could barely move, barely walk, and would lay in bed all day. I even had to miss church some days! My first cycle after the surgery, I felt like I could run a marathon! I didn't even need any pain medication at all! I felt wonderful!


What does it look like?





This is a healthy female reproductive system. 






          

  This is a female reproductive system with severe endometriosis.








How does it affect my fertility?

I'm sure the pictures above are pretty self-explanatory already with how endometriosis can effect fertility.

"If you have endometriosis, it may be more difficult for you to become pregnant. Up to 30% to 50% of women with endometriosis may experience infertility. Endometriosis can influence fertility in several ways: distorted anatomy of the pelvis, adhesions, scarred fallopian tubes, inflammation of the pelvic structures, altered immune system functioning, changes in the hormonal environment of the eggs, impaired implantation of a pregnancy, and altered egg quality. At the time of surgery, your doctor may evaluate the amount, location, and depth of endometriosis and give you a “score.” This score determines whether your endometriosis is considered minimal (Stage 1), mild (Stage 2), moderate (Stage 3), or severe (Stage 4). This scoring system correlates with pregnancy success. Women with severe (Stage 4) endometriosis, which causes considerable scarring, blocked fallopian tubes, and damaged ovaries, experience the most difficulty becoming pregnant and often require advanced fertility treatment."

Source: www.asrm.org

How likely is it that endometriosis will come back after surgery to remove it? How soon until it does?

My doctor told me there is a 50% chance the endometriosis will come back. I am hoping that it isn't coming back, but I am already feeling a lot of pain... so I am definitely worried. 

How common is endometriosis?

"Regardless of whether pain or infertility is the major problem, many women with endometriosis are never diagnosed. This is because their symptoms are not severe enough to require laparoscopy. Among all women, it is etimated that 6 to 10 out of 100 have endometriosis."

Source: www.webmd.com