One cause of pelvic pain in a woman is endometriosis. Endometriosis is a disorder of the female reproductive system. It rarely spreads beyond the pelvic region. If you experience pelvic pain, see your doctor to determine whether it is endometriosis or another condition or cause. In this article you will read about the signs, symptoms, causes and diagnostic screenings for endometriosis. It is important to note some women with endometriosis do not have signs and symptoms. The disease may be discovered during an unrelated operation like a tubal ligation or through specific diagnostic screenings. Endometriosis can be mild, moderate or severe. It tends to get worse over time without treatment. Signs and symptoms of endometriosis: · Painful periods: Pelvic pain and cramping before and may continue several days after onset of period. The pain may include lower back and abdominal areas. · Pain at other times: Some women experience pain during ovulation, a sharp pain deep in the pelvis during intercourse, or pain during bowel movements or upon urination. · Excessive bleeding: Occasional heavy periods or bleeding between periods. · Infertility: Sometimes endometriosis is first found in women seeking treatment for infertility. A lot of women experience cramping during their periods. However, women with endometriosis typically experience menstrual pain far worse than is common for most. The pain is often reported as getting worse over time. Even though severe pain is a common symptom of endometriosis, it is not always a reliable indicator of the severity of endometriosis. Women with mild endometriosis may experience extensive pain, while others with more severe cases may have little pain or no pain at all. Endometriosis is sometimes mistaken for pelvic inflammatory disease or ovarian cysts. It can also be confused with irritable bowel syndrome, which causes bouts of diarrhea, constipation and abdominal cramping. Irritable bowel syndrome can accompany endometriosis, which can complicate the diagnosis of endometriosis. It is important to report any of the signs and symptoms of endometriosis to your doctor so he or she can diagnose your problem and get you started on an appropriate treatment plan. If you are concerned about having endometriosis and you experience no symptoms there are other ways to screen and diagnose for the disease. Review the following: · Ultrasound · Laparoscopy · Blood tests Causes of endometriosis: Experts are uncertain as to the cause of endometriosis. They continue to study the roles that hormones and the immune system play in the condition. One theory is that the menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes, takes root and grows. Another theory proposes that the bloodstream carries endometrial cells to other sites in the body. It is also speculated that a predisposition toward endometriosis is carried in the genes of certain families. Among all theories at this time the cause of endometriosis includes: · Hormones · The Immune System · Genetics · Environmental influences Basically, however, the exact cause of endometriosis remains unknown. Any woman can be susceptible to the disease of endometriosis. Source: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Disclaimer: *This article is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure any kind of a health problem. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Always consult with your health care provider about any kind of a health problem and especially before beginning any kind of an exercise routine. Author: Connie Limon, Trilogy Field Representative. Visit http://nutritionandhealthhub.com and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. Visit http://www.healthylife27.com to purchase an array of superior quality, safe and effective products inspired by nature, informed by science and created to improve the health of people, pets and the planet. This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. Article written 3-2007.
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