Endometriosis

Endometriosis tissues grow commonly on ovaries, fallopian tubes, the bowel, and the tissues lining your pelvis. In rare cases, endometrial tissues grow beyond the pelvic area. This tissue growth is less common in the vagina, cervix, and bladder. The exact cause is not known. The endometrial tissue growing outside your uterus found in ectopic locations is termed an endometrial implant. Endometriosis has even been reported in the brain, liver, lungs, and old surgical scars. 

In this disorder, the tissues similar to endometrial tissues that line the uterus, grow, thicken, and break down in every menstrual cycle. But unlike normal menstruation, these tissues have no way to exit your body since these are not located inside your uterus. These tissues become trapped and can be extremely painful. This pain gets severe during menstrual periods. Endometriosis can even lead to fertility problems. 

When endometriosis occurs in the ovaries, it leads to cyst formation called endometriomas. This can irritate the surrounding tissues and can end up developing scar tissue and adhesions. Adhesions are abnormal bands of fibrous tissues that can cause the pelvic tissues and organs to stick to each other. Endometriosis is not an uncommon problem these days, affecting around 10 percent of the women population but fortunately, there are effective treatment options available. 

Depending on the exact location, depth, extent, size, and severity of the endometriosis implants, endometriosis is classified into one of the following four stages:

• I - Minimal

• II - Mild

• III - Moderate

• IV - Severe

The minimal and mild stages mean that there are mild scarring and superficial implants. Cysts and severe scarring are included in moderate and severe endometriosis. Infertility is common with stage IV endometriosis. Minimal and mild endometriosis involves shallow implants on the pelvic lining and the ovaries.