What is Endometriosis?

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells, which are present inside the uterus and designed to be shed on a monthly basis during menstruation, begin to grow outside the uterus, resulting in what are called endometriosis implants. These implants, while benign (non-cancerous), can eventually lead to significant discomfort and pain, and they are adept at attaching themselves to parts of the body related to the reproductive organs (ovaries, fallopian tubes, exterior surface of the uterus, cervix, vagina). Although endometriosis is often viewed as a cell-growth disorder limited to the reproductive/pelvic region, the fact is that these invasive tissues can multiply and adhere to everything from the intestines and bladder to the lungs and brain. They can even become lodged in scars from prior surgeries.

Endometriosis targets women of child-bearing age, and many individuals can unknowingly have the condition because it does not always present with noticeable symptoms, at least until the growths have become large or widespread enough to hinder overall health and quality of life. Conservative estimates maintain that approximately one million American women have some form of endometriosis, even if they have not obtained a definitive diagnosis from a physician or are not experiencing obvious symptoms. Endometriosis can lead to an inability to conceive or carry to term, thus it's not surprising that some 20 to 50 percent of women seeking fertility counseling and treatment have some form of the condition.

For the most part, endometriosis is most frequently diagnosed in women between the ages of 25 and 35, although it has been documented in adolescent girls. Post-menopausal women who have not experienced endometriosis are often in the clear, as it is rare in that patient population. Caucasian women are more prone to endometriosis than Asians and African Americans, and studies have revealed the fascinating fact that endometriosis is dramatically more prevalent in slender, tall women whose body mass index (BMI) calculates to the low side of normal. 

The causes of endometriosis range from "retrograde menstruation" (menstrual flow is backed up into the fallopian tubes, pelvis and/or abdominal cavities) to the migration of endometrial cells during surgery.

For more information on this common and highly treatable condition, contact Dr. Eric Daiter at the New Jersey Center for Fertility and Reproductive Medicine, www.drericdaitermd.com. Dr. Daiter and his knowledgeable and friendly staff can answer any questions you might have about symptoms of endometriosis, endometriosis treatment, and what is endometriosis?  For additional information on “what is endometriosis?” and to download your free copy of our Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Endometriosis, go to http://www.drericdaitermd.com/What-is-endometriosis