What is Endometriosis ?

Endometriosis is....

     Endometriosis [En-doh-mee-tree-ooh-sis] noun pathology    

 1. a body wide disease where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows       outside of the uterus causing pain, organ dysfunction, and/or infertility.

     Endometriosis is a disease that affects an estimated 176 million+ women world wide.

It is not a very known condition due to the lack of awareness. I did not know much about it

until I was told I could possibly have it. I was diagnosed in June 2016 through laparoscopic 

surgery. I first began to have my symptoms at 14 years old. I did not hear the word Endome-

trios until 19. On average it takes 8-10 years for women to be diagnosed. 

      The only way to properly be diagnosed is from a biopsy taken during a laparoscopy 

that is performed by an endo specialist. A regular gynecologist is not equip to perform the

procedure. No scans, blood testing, nor ultrasounds can aid in a diagnosis. All of 

my testing would come back normal but yet I do have it. The best type of laparoscopic

surgery to get is excision surgery. Not every obgyn can perform it effectively. 

Endo can be different colors. Clear, red,yellow,white,blue,gray and black. 

This surgery is only a temporary fix. There is not defiant cure for endo. It is fueled by 

estrogen. Even if you get a full or partial hysterectomy it can grow back.

     The A.S.R.M Classification system rates women with different stages. This is done with a scale of 1-4. One meaning there is a minimal amount there and four meaning the entire pelvic area is covered.

However, 10-20% of women with stage 4 can experience no pain at all. A patient with stage 1

could have debilitating pain such as I do. 

      Women can develop something called an "Endo Belly". This is when a woman becomes 

really bloated and looks pregnant. I was asked a few months ago if "I was pregnant or got thick 

on my own." I was taken back by it because I am not pregnant nor was I at the time. Many women 

on the Facebook group Endometriosis and Me share stories of how they are asked the same question.

Like me they are not pregnant and some are infertile due to the disease. 

The most common symptoms are:

If you think you have it or someone you know has it you can leave a comment bellow.