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See Also
See Again
© Shutterstock
0 / 19 Fotos
What is it?
- Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The illness becomes complicated because there are still many questions as to its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
© Shutterstock
1 / 19 Fotos
How it happens - Endometriosis occurs when the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium - the internal lining of the uterus that is developed every ovulation cycle and expelled during menstruation) grows outside of the uterus.
© Shutterstock
2 / 19 Fotos
Misplaced tissue - The tissue can travel to other organs within the body. It most commonly gets trapped within the pelvis, reproductive organs, intestines, bladder, and ureters.
© Shutterstock
3 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - The symptoms can vary greatly, but some are more common than others. The most common is intense pelvic pain during menstruation.
© Shutterstock
4 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - Blood loss: a woman can experience blood loss before the beginning of her period. She may also have heavy periods or blood with the color and consistency of chocolate.
© Shutterstock
5 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - Changes in intestinal movement and burning or difficulty when urinating–many of these symptoms are also associated with urinary tract infections, so it's important you talk to your doctor.
© Shutterstock
6 / 19 Fotos
Different causes - Retrograde menstruation, which according to the Mayo Clinic is 'menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body,' can be a cause. It explains the pelvic endometriosis, but not nasal or rectal endometriosis.
© Shutterstock
7 / 19 Fotos
Different causes
- A genetic component: if a mother and one or more of her sisters have the illness, it is probable that a woman in the following generation will develop it as well. Immune system disorders can also be related to endometriosis.
© Shutterstock
8 / 19 Fotos
Affected group - Endometriosis affects between 10 and 15% of women of reproductive age. It is also one of the most common causes of infertility.
© Shutterstock
9 / 19 Fotos
Fertility - One-third of women who have endometriosis are infertile or have difficulty in getting pregnant naturally. The pelvic inflammation caused by the illness can interfere with fertilization.
© Shutterstock
10 / 19 Fotos
What endometriosis can do... - The endometriosis implants can obstruct the fallopian tubes, reduce egg reserves, and distort the pelvic anatomy of the woman.
© Shutterstock
11 / 19 Fotos
Embryo - The endometrial alterations can make embryo implantation difficult, in which the fertilized egg can not attach correctly to the uterine walls.
© Shutterstock
12 / 19 Fotos
Does it have a cure? - It does not have a cure, but there are different treatment methods. One of them is the laparoscopy. The technique allows doctors to identify the location, size, and extent of the illness.
© Shutterstock
13 / 19 Fotos
Remove implants
- It is also possible to remove endometrial implants located in different regions of the body. The implants can be restricting the intestines, invading the bladder, and harming renal function. After removal, it is possible to treat the illness.
© Shutterstock
14 / 19 Fotos
Nutrition - Paying attention to diet can also be beneficial. Vitamins with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant action can help control symptoms.
© Shutterstock
15 / 19 Fotos
Vitamin C and zinc - These vitamins are responsible for antioxidant action that can help reduce pain and symptoms.
© Shutterstock
16 / 19 Fotos
Vitamins A and E - These vitamins have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce cramping.
© Shutterstock
17 / 19 Fotos
B vitamins
- This is yet another anti-inflammatory vitamin that can be found in whole grains and fish. But above all, being followed by a doctor is incredibly necessary. See also: Celebs open up about their struggles with endometriosis
© Shutterstock
18 / 19 Fotos
© Shutterstock
0 / 19 Fotos
What is it?
- Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease. The illness becomes complicated because there are still many questions as to its causes, diagnosis, and treatment.
© Shutterstock
1 / 19 Fotos
How it happens - Endometriosis occurs when the tissue lining the uterus (the endometrium - the internal lining of the uterus that is developed every ovulation cycle and expelled during menstruation) grows outside of the uterus.
© Shutterstock
2 / 19 Fotos
Misplaced tissue - The tissue can travel to other organs within the body. It most commonly gets trapped within the pelvis, reproductive organs, intestines, bladder, and ureters.
© Shutterstock
3 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - The symptoms can vary greatly, but some are more common than others. The most common is intense pelvic pain during menstruation.
© Shutterstock
4 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - Blood loss: a woman can experience blood loss before the beginning of her period. She may also have heavy periods or blood with the color and consistency of chocolate.
© Shutterstock
5 / 19 Fotos
Symptoms - Changes in intestinal movement and burning or difficulty when urinating–many of these symptoms are also associated with urinary tract infections, so it's important you talk to your doctor.
© Shutterstock
6 / 19 Fotos
Different causes - Retrograde menstruation, which according to the Mayo Clinic is 'menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body,' can be a cause. It explains the pelvic endometriosis, but not nasal or rectal endometriosis.
© Shutterstock
7 / 19 Fotos
Different causes
- A genetic component: if a mother and one or more of her sisters have the illness, it is probable that a woman in the following generation will develop it as well. Immune system disorders can also be related to endometriosis.
© Shutterstock
8 / 19 Fotos
Affected group - Endometriosis affects between 10 and 15% of women of reproductive age. It is also one of the most common causes of infertility.
© Shutterstock
9 / 19 Fotos
Fertility - One-third of women who have endometriosis are infertile or have difficulty in getting pregnant naturally. The pelvic inflammation caused by the illness can interfere with fertilization.
© Shutterstock
10 / 19 Fotos
What endometriosis can do... - The endometriosis implants can obstruct the fallopian tubes, reduce egg reserves, and distort the pelvic anatomy of the woman.
© Shutterstock
11 / 19 Fotos
Embryo - The endometrial alterations can make embryo implantation difficult, in which the fertilized egg can not attach correctly to the uterine walls.
© Shutterstock
12 / 19 Fotos
Does it have a cure? - It does not have a cure, but there are different treatment methods. One of them is the laparoscopy. The technique allows doctors to identify the location, size, and extent of the illness.
© Shutterstock
13 / 19 Fotos
Remove implants
- It is also possible to remove endometrial implants located in different regions of the body. The implants can be restricting the intestines, invading the bladder, and harming renal function. After removal, it is possible to treat the illness.
© Shutterstock
14 / 19 Fotos
Nutrition - Paying attention to diet can also be beneficial. Vitamins with anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidant action can help control symptoms.
© Shutterstock
15 / 19 Fotos
Vitamin C and zinc - These vitamins are responsible for antioxidant action that can help reduce pain and symptoms.
© Shutterstock
16 / 19 Fotos
Vitamins A and E - These vitamins have natural anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce cramping.
© Shutterstock
17 / 19 Fotos
B vitamins
- This is yet another anti-inflammatory vitamin that can be found in whole grains and fish. But above all, being followed by a doctor is incredibly necessary. See also: Celebs open up about their struggles with endometriosis
© Shutterstock
18 / 19 Fotos
Endometriosis: the disease affecting millions of women worldwide
Many women don't know the difference between endometriosis and cramps
© Shutterstock
Endometriosis is a health problem that is very common among young women and harmful to their quality of life. Although there is no cure, different treatments can help alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life.
Read through the gallery to learn more about the illness and how to differentiate it from menstrual cramps.
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