Endometriosis

Endometrium is the term used to describe the tissue that lines the inside of a woman’s uterus. This word comes from, endo, meaning "inside,” and metra, meaning "womb." Every woman has an endometrium, or uterine lining. Endometriosis is the name of the condition that arises when this normal uterine lining (endometrium), is found to be growing outside of the uterus, or in other areas of the body.

The severity of endometriosis is noted in stages (1-4), where stage 1 is mild and stage 4 is considered severe. The major symptom of endometriosis is severe, recurring pain. The amount of pain a woman feels is not necessarily related to the extent or stage (1 through 4) of endometriosis. Some women will have little or no pain despite having extensive endometriosis affecting large areas or having endometriosis with scarring. On the other hand, women may have severe pain even though they have only a few small areas of endometriosis.

Symptoms of endometriosis can include (but are not limited to):

• Painful, sometimes disabling menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea); pain may get worse over time (progressive pain)
• Chronic pain (typically lower back pain and pelvic pain, also abdominal)
• Painful sex (dyspareunia)
• Painful bowel movements or painful urination (dysuria)
• Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Premenstrual or inter-menstrual spotting (bleeding between periods)
• Infertility and sub-fertility. Endometriosis may lead to fallopian tube obstruction, which is a major cause of female infertility. However, even without tubal obstruction, women with endometriosis may be difficulty conceiving. In some women, sub-fertility is the sole symptom, and the endometriosis is only discovered during fertility investigations.

In addition, women who are diagnosed with endometriosis may have gastrointestinal symptoms that may mimic irritable bowel syndrome, as well as fatigue.

Endometriosis and Infertility

There is a strong correlation between Endometriosis and infertility. The presence of endometriosis does not necessarily cause infertility per se. However, the same mechanisms that lead to the formation of endometriosis may also disrupt healthy reproductive function and create a state of impaired fertility. In some cases, endometriosis plays a more direct role in infertility by creating adhesions, or areas of blockage. These adhesions may impair the free movement of eggs through the fallopian tubes, and may also prevent embryo implantation because of malformation of the uterine lining.

By treating their common causes, both endometriosis and infertility can be effectively managed and treated with Chinese Medicine.