FACTS & FIGURES ON ENDOMETRIOSIS

What is it?

Tissue normally making up the lining of the uterus is also found in other parts of the body – ovaries, fallopian tubes, abdominal lining, bowel, bladder, etc. Tissue responds to the hormones of the menstrual cycle causing pain, inflammation, internal bleeding, formation of scar tissue, and other medical problems. 

Who’s affected? All races. All income levels.

How many are affected? Precise international number unknown – 5 ½ million in U.S. & Canada alone.

Age of those affected? Beginning of menstruation to menopause. Can continue, in some cases, after menopause

Symptoms:

• Chronic pelvic pain
• Increasingly painful menstrual periods
• Disabling menstrual periods
• Pain with sex
• Painful bowel movements with periods
• Problem or pain with urination with periods
• Infertility
• Repeated miscarriages
• Chronic fatigue
• Extensive allergies and related problems
• Low resistance to infection

Cause: Unknown

Theories:

• Autoimmune disorder
• Genetic
• Retrograde menstruation
• Birth defect
• Lymphatic or circulatory distribution of endometrial tissue
• Environmental and other damage to immune and endocrine systems 

Diagnosis: Laparoscopy – a minor surgical procedure. Abnormalities in basal body temperature or ultrasound may help provide a working diagnosis.

Cure: None. When extremely disabling, hysterectomy and removal of the ovaries (castration) are performed as a last resort but is generally unacceptable due to the young age of the girls and women involved and lifelong altering affects.

Treatments:

Surgery – Conservative surgery, major or laporoscopic, can provide relief while preserving the organs and the possibility for pregnancy. Unfortunately, the disease almost always returns.

Hormones – A variety of hormonal preparations can be used in an attempt to cause the disease to regress and waste away.

Pain Medications – A variety of painkillers are used for the varying degrees of pain that can accompany endometriosis. They range from over-the-counter to the most potent prescription narcotics.

Alternatives – Women have also found varying degrees of relief through alternative means such as nutritional changes, traditional Chinese medicine, and allergy management techniques, among others.

Programs of the Endometriosis Association:

Support

• Support groups, chapters, and chat rooms for sufferers and their families
• Crisis call help
• Assistance via correspondence and networking

Education

• Accurate, informative literature
• Newsletter with research news, coping help, tips
• Educational programs and mailings; assistance to media

Research

• Continuous data gathering, analysis, and publication
• Technical and funding assistance for researchers
• Dedicated research programs at two top medical schools

The Association has members and affiliate worldwide and works with both the public and the medical community as well as those with endometriosis and their families. It is a non-profit organization with IRS-designated 501(c) 3 status – all donations are tax deductible in the U.S. and Canada. For deductibility in other countries, contact EA International Headquarters. 

© 1998 Endometriosis Association