Well Woman 16-45

Endometriosis Health Information

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis (pronounced end - oh – mee – tree – oh – sis) is a condition where cells like the ones in the lining of the womb (uterus) are found elsewhere in the body. 

Every month - if pregnancy does not occur – the lining of the womb (uterus) breaks down and bleeds. The blood is released from your body as a period.

Endometriosis cells react in the same way – except that they are located outside your womb.  During the monthly cycle, the endometriosis grows then breaks down and bleeds. This internal bleeding, unlike a period, has no way of leaving the body. This leads to inflammation, pain, and the formation of scar tissue (adhesions).  Endometrial tissue can also be found in the ovary, where it can form cysts, called ‘chocolate cysts’ because of their appearance.

Endometriosis affects approximately 2 million womens health in the UK. The average time between a patient first consulting the doctor with symptoms and receiving a diagnosis is currently eight years. It can be a chronic and debilitating condition and can impact on a woman’s life in a number of ways which include:

• Chronic pain
• Fatigue/lack of energy
• Depression/isolation
• Problems with a couple’s sex life/relationships
• An inability to conceive
• Difficulty in fulfilling work and social commitments

However, with the right help, you can address many of these health issues.

What causes endometriosis?

The actual cause of endometriosis is unknown. There are several theories, but none fully explains why the condition occurs. Visit www.endometriosis-uk.org/information/causes.html for more information regarding the theories of the cause of endometriosis.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Some women experience symptoms while others do not.  Endometriosis symptoms can vary in intensity.

• Painful, heavy, or irregular periods
• Pain on ovulation
• Pain during or after sex
• Infertility
• Problems on opening bowels
• Fatigue
• Pelvic pain
• ‘spotting’ or bleeding between periods
• Loss of ‘old’ or ‘dark’ blood before a period
• Painful bowel movements
• Bleeding from the bowel
• Depression
• Back and / or leg pain

How is endometriosis diagnosed?

The only way to conclusively diagnose endometriosis is through a keyhole surgery procedure called a laparoscopy.

What are the treatments for endometriosis?

Currently, there is no cure for endometriosis. The different treatments available aim to reduce the severity of symptoms and improve the quality of life for a woman living with the condition. The treatments currently available can help by relieving pain symptoms; shrinking or slowing endometriosis growth; preserving or restoring fertility; or preventing/delaying the recurrence of the disease. Different treatment options include:

• Pain management
• Self-management
• Surgery
• Hormones
• Nutrition
• Complementary therapies  

Endometriosis UK 

Endometriosis UK is the leading UK charity that supports women living with, and anyone affected by, endometriosis. 

The charity’s services are run by trained volunteers, all of whom have experience of endometriosis.  We have Local Groups across the UK, which give women with the endometriosis (as well as their partners, families, and/or friends) the chance to meet up and discuss their experiences and hear presentations from local professionals.  We run a free UK Helpline on 0808 808 2227, and an Email Service, which both aim to provide support and answer any health questions related to the endometriosis.

Our website is packed full of health information and personal stories and features a community message-board, where women with endometriosis can ‘meet’ and offer each other advice, or just chat to others who understand what they’re going through!

We are a membership organisation. With our member’s support we have a strong voice when campaigning for more medical research and improved treatments and care.  There are many ways to get involved with our charity to help us grow and raise awareness of endometriosis including membership, volunteering and fundraising to name just a few.  Please see our website for details.

We are committed to supporting any one affected by endometriosis, to raising awareness of this little known condition and to campaigning for change.  For more endometriosis health information or more information about our work and how you can get involved, please see our website www.endometriosis-uk.org/.