Endometriosis
Overview
Endometriosis is where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb (uterus) grow in other parts of the body. It can have a big impact on your life, but there are treatments that can help.
Symptoms
Endometriosis is often found in areas around the womb, such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes and lining of the pelvis. It also sometimes affects organs, such as the bladder and bowel. Rarely, endometriosis is found in areas outside the pelvis, such as in the chest. Symptoms happen when patches of endometriosis break down and bleed but cannot leave your body. You might have some symptoms during your period, such as: severeperiod pain, that stops you from doing your normal activitiesheavy periods, where you need to change your pads or tampons every 1 to 2 hours, or you may bleed through to your clothes. You can have other symptoms at any time, such as: pain in your lower tummy and back (pelvic area)pain when you poo or peepain during or after sexextreme tiredness (fatigue)pain or bleeding in other areas, such as in the chest, which may cause shortness of breath and coughing up blood You may also have difficulty getting pregnant and have low mood or anxiety. Endometriosis is commonly diagnosed in women and girls, from when their periods start (puberty) through to menopause. It can affect anyone who has or had a womb.
Treatment
It's not known what causes endometriosis and there are currently no treatments that can cure it. But treatment can help manage symptoms such as pain. Your doctor will talk to you about the risks and possible side effects of each treatment. If treatment is not working or your symptoms are very severe, you may be referred to a specialist endometriosis service. Medicines are often the first treatment for endometriosis. They include: painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofenhormones, such as thecombined contraceptive pillor other medicines that change the amount of hormones in your body – these can help ease pain You will not be given hormones if you're trying to get pregnant.