From Tracee Cornforth,
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Endometriosis is a painful, and often debilitating condition that affects over 5.5 million women in the United States and Canada, and millions more worldwide. There are many theories about the cause of endometriosis from genetic predisposition to environmental toxins such as dioxin, PCBs, and other endocrine disruptors; however the precise cause remains unknown.

Endometriosis can have a devastating affect on a woman's fertility and reproductive health, often making it difficult to become pregnant and causing severe menstrual abnormalities. This condition strikes women of all ages, according to the results of a 1998 Endometriosis Association survey 38% of endometriosis patients reported symptoms that occurred before the age of 15, many times occurring in girls as young as 11 or 12.

Endometriosis usually occurs when tissue that is normally found inside the uterus is found outside in the pelvic region. Endometriosis is most often found on the reproductive organs, bladder, bowel, intestines, colon and appendix; although it is also found on surgical scars, uterosacral ligaments, diaphragm, cul- de- sac (area behind the uterus), and pelvic sidewalls. Although rare, endometriosis can also occur in the lung, skin, sciatic nerve, retina, kidney, or brain.

What are the symptoms of endometriosis?

Some women may have endometriosis without symptoms, and be unaware of its existence until another problem such as infertility is discovered. When symptoms do occur they can include:

• pelvic pain
  
  
• pain before and/or after menstruation
  
  
• severe menstrual cramps
  
  
• painful intercourse
  
  
• painful orgasms
  
  
• heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding
  
  
• painful bowel movements often with cycles of diarrhea and constipation
  
  
• infertility
  
  
• intestinal distress such as bloating, vomiting, nausea
  
  
• lower back pain
  
  
• bladder pain and/or frequency
  
  
• fatigue

Many women experience unbearable pain from endometriosis, for others pain may be mild or non-existent. The amount of pain a woman experiences is not an indicator of the amount of endometriosis that is present. If you have experienced any of these symptoms discuss them with your physician.

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