Definition for endometriosis

Endometriosis (sometimes colloquially referred to as endo) is a common medical condition affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world. more

Endometriosis (sometimes colloquially referred to as endo) is a common medical condition affecting an estimated 89 million women of reproductive age around the world. With endometriosis, tissue like that which lines the uterus (the endometrium, from endo, "inside", and metra, "womb") is found outside the womb in other areas of the body. Normally, the endometrium is shed each month through menses; however, in endometriosis, the misplaced endometrium has no way of leaving the body. The tissues still break down and bleed, but the result is far different than in women and girls without the disease: internal bleeding, degeneration of blood and tissue shed from the growths, inflammation of the surrounding areas, and formation of scar tissue result. In addition, depending on the location of the growths, interference with the normal function of the bowel, bladder, intestines and other areas of the pelvic cavity can occur. Endometriosis has also been found lodged in the skin, the lungs, the diaphragm and even the brain. less