What is Endo?
Endometriosis is a painful reproductive and immunological disease in which
tissue similar to that which lines the uterus migrates and implants in other
areas of the body. Affecting more than 5.5 million women and girls in the
United States alone with over 70 million more worldwide, the illness
continues to be stigmatized simply as "killer cramps." A leading cause of
female infertility, chronic pelvic pain and gynecologic surgery,
Endometriosis accounts for more than half of the 600,000 hysterectomies
performed in the U.S. annually.
Symptoms
Symptoms include pelvic pain, infertility,
pain with intercourse, gastrointestinal difficulties, fatigue, allergies,
and immune system dysfunction. Researchers remain unsure as to the
definitive cause of Endometriosis, which can only be diagnosed through
surgery, though current studies indicate that gene dysregulation, immune
system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxicants may be
contributing factors. There is no absolute cure for Endometriosis, and
recent research has even shown an elevated risk of certain cancers and
autoimmune disorders in those with Endometriosis, as well as malignant
changes within the disease itself.
Staging
Endometriosis is classed in stages in relation to its severity.
Stage 1(Minimal)
Few endometrial implants, most often in the cul-de-sac in the woman's pelvic area.
Stage 2(Mild)
Mild to moderate levels of endometrial implants affecting one or both ovaries.
Stage 3(Moderate)
Moderate levels of endometriosis with implants in several reproductive areas, perhaps in one or both ovaries.
Stage 4(Severe)
The most severe of the endometriosis stages with widespread endometriosis implants throughout the pelvic area. The more widespread the endometriosis, the more likely fertility problems will be experienced.
Types of Endo
Superficial Endometriosis
This is usually found in the peritoneum of the cul de sac, pelvic sidewall, and bladder. It may occasionally be widespread over the whole abdomen even after the diaphragm. Wide removal of the peritoneum in the pelvis (en bloc excision) requires considerable skill and experience because it is stuck to the rectum ureter, blood vessels of the sidewall, and bladder. However, this is regularly achievable by specialist endometriosis surgeons.
Deep Endometriosis
These are tumors or implants that are deeper than half a centimeter and typically involves the uterosacral ligament, cul de sac, rectovaginal space, posterior vagina, interior rectum, cardinal ligaments and ureter, bladder, as well as areas of large and small intestine away from the pelvis. These lesions used to be called fibrosis implying that they were no longer containing active endometriosis but rather was a fibrotic tissue reaction. It has been clearly shown in the last few years that these so-called fibrotic lesions are in fact very active endometriosis that continue to invade.
New Study
A New Study
The September 17, 2002 issue of Woman's Day magazine reported on the link between endometriosis and autoimmune diseases and cancer. A collaborative study by the NIH and the Association showed that women with endo are more likely to develop autoimmune diseases such as lupus, Sjögren's Syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis and hypothyroidism, Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS), asthma, and fibromyalgia.
