Endometriosis

Introduction: Endometriosis

In this condition, tissue from the uterus is misplaced inside the abdomen, causing a variety of problems. Endometriosis is a difficult condition to diagnose, often starting with no symptoms or only mild symptoms. Symptoms may include abdominal pain, period pain, heavy periods, infertility, and many other symptoms of endometriosis. Symptoms are often cyclical because of the locations of the tissue and the displaced uterine tissue may also inappropriately respond to hormone cycles. Once symptoms appear, endometriosis is often misdiagnosed as other conditions such as IBS, cystitis or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Symptoms of Endometriosis

• No symptoms - many cases cause no symptoms
• Menstrual symptoms
  • Period pain - but severity may be mild in some people or severe in others
  • Heavy periods
  • Excessive menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea)

See full list of 24 symptoms of Endometriosis

Medical Textbooks Online about Endometriosis

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Endometriosis

• Physical exam
• Pelvic exam
• Laparoscopy

Read more about tests for Endometriosis

Wrongly Diagnosed with Endometriosis?

• Misdiagnosis of Endometriosis
• Failure to diagnose Endometriosis
• Underlying causes of Endometriosis (possibly wrongly diagnosed)
• Failure to diagnose Endometriosis

Misdiagnosis and Endometriosis

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Read more about Misdiagnosis and Endometriosis

Causes of Endometriosis

Read more about causes of Endometriosis.

More information about causes of Endometriosis:

• Endometriosis as a complication caused by other conditions
• Endometriosis as a symptom
• Medical news summaries relating to Causes of Endometriosis

Treatments for Endometriosis

• Pain relief treatment
  • Analgesics
  • Pain relief medications
  • Heat pads
  • Hot water bottles

See full list of 19 treatments for Endometriosis

Videos for Endometriosis

Patient Surveys for Endometriosis

• Patient Profile Survey
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• Survey about the symptoms of your Endometriosis
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Reseach about Endometriosis

Visit our research pages for current research about Endometriosis treatments.

Clinical Trials for Endometriosis

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Endometriosis include:

• The Safety and Effectiveness of Surgery With or Without Raloxifene for the Treatment of Pelvic Pain Caused by Endometriosis - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Raloxifene
• Effects of Endometriosis on Bone Mineral Density - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Endometriosis : Traditional Medicine Vs Hormone Therapy - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Chinese Products,Nafarelin
• Pelvic Pain in Women With Endometriosis - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006)
• Endometriosis Trial: Study of NBI-56418 in Endometriosis - This study is no longer recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - NBI-56418 (GnRH antagonist)

See full list of 29 Clinical Trials for Endometriosis

Statistics for Endometriosis

• Medical statistics for Endometriosis
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Endometriosis
• Death and Mortality statistics for Endometriosis
• Society statistics for Endometriosis

Types of Endometriosis

• Autoimmune Endometriosis
• Mild endometriosis
• Moderate endometriosis
• Severe endometriosis

Read more about Types of Endometriosis

Stories from Users Related to Endometriosis

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User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Endometriosis, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Endometriosis

Endometriosis is another benign condition that affects the uterus. It is most common in women in their thirties and forties, especially in women who have never been pregnant. It occurs when endometrial tissue begins to grow on the outside of the uterus and on nearby organs. (Source: excerpt from What You Need To Know About Cancer of the Uterus: NCI)

Definitions of Endometriosis:

A condition in which functional endometrial tissue is present outside the UTERUS. It is often confined to the PELVIS involving the OVARY, the ligaments, cul-de-sac, and the uterovesical peritoneum. - (Source - Diseases Database)

The presence of endometrium elsewhere than in the lining of the uterus; causes premenstrual pain and dysmenorrhea - (Source - WordNet 2.1)