[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/what-is-endometriosis\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/what-is-endometriosis\/","headline":"Endometriosis: What Are the Risks, Symptoms, and Treatments?","name":"Endometriosis: What Are the Risks, Symptoms, and Treatments?","description":"Endometriosis affects nearly 5 million women in the United States. Learn more about the risks, symptoms, and treatment options.","datePublished":"2016-04-08","dateModified":"2021-02-22","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","name":"UPMC Magee-Womens","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/women-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-magee-womens-hospital\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Endometriosis-2.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/Endometriosis-2.jpg","height":326,"width":752},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/what-is-endometriosis\/","about":["Women's Health"],"wordCount":572,"keywords":["endometriosis","heavy periods","hormonal birth control","pelvic infections","pelvic pain"],"articleBody":"Endometriosis\u00a0is a condition that causes pelvic pain in women of childbearing age.It is a benign condition, meaning that it is not a type of cancer. Endometriosis occurs when the cells from inside the uterus grow outside of the uterus. These cells can become attached to other areas inside the pelvis or abdomen, such as the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or intestines.These cells then release substances that irritate the surrounding tissues, sometimes causing them to bleed. The body recognizes that these cells do not belong outside of the uterus and releases inflammatory proteins that travel to the endometriosis, causing swelling, pain, and scarring.Endometriosis can cause severe pelvic pain, especially around the time of a woman\u2019s period. It can also affect her ability to become pregnant and may cause pain with urination, bowel movements, or intercourse.The causes of endometriosis are not known, but having a close relative with it may increase your chances of also having it.What are the risk factors for endometriosis?Endometriosis\u00a0occurs in women of childbearing age and affects women of all races. Other\u00a0risk factors for endometriosis\u00a0include:Never having been pregnantMenstrual cycles that started at a young age or periods that are close togetherDevelopmental abnormalities of the uterus and cervixAny condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the bodyEndometriosis Symptoms and DiagnosisPelvic pain is the most common symptom\u00a0of endometriosis but may also include:Painful menstrual periodsPain during or after intercoursePainful bowel movements or urination, especially during menstrual periodsDiagnosing endometriosisYour doctor may suspect that you have endometriosis based on your symptoms and a physical exam.Examination is the most important part of the initial diagnosis for endometriosis. If pain is reproduced during a pelvic and rectovaginal exam, there is a high chance that surgery will help the condition.Diagnostic tests, such as an ultrasound, MRI or endorectal ultrasound, may be helpful for surgical planning, especially if nodularity are present during your exam.The only way your doctor will know for sure that you have\u00a0endometriosis\u00a0is to do surgery to look at the inside of your abdomen or pelvic area. This is done most often through a\u00a0minimally invasive surgical procedure called laparoscopy.\u00a0 During this procedure, doctors obtain biopsies and send them to a pathologist for final diagnosis.Endometriosis Treatment OptionsYour doctor will discuss treatment options for endometriosis, such as medication or surgery.Medical management for endometriosisYour doctor may prescribe the following treatments to control your symptoms:Over-the-counter pain medication such as NSAIDS (ibuprofen)Birth control such as pills, the ring, patch or shotInsertion of an intrauterine device (IUD)Medical management is typically the first step of treatment. If there is no improvement in symptoms, surgery to evaluate and treat endometriosis may be needed.Surgery for endometriosisSurgery should be performed by a gynecologist who has done training specifically in treatment of pelvic pain and endometriosis.Surgical options include removal of the endometriosis called excision, burning of the endometriosis called cauterization, or removal of the organs such as the ovaries or uterus with endometriosis. The diagnosis of endometriosis can only be made by taking a biopsy of the endometriosis.Laparoscopic excision of endometriosis allows for organ preservationAblation or cauterization of endometriosis may be helpful to remove mild or superficial diseaseHysterectomy with or without removal of ovaries is the definitive treatment in patients with extensive disease"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"04","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/04\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Endometriosis: What Are the Risks, Symptoms, and Treatments?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/04\/what-is-endometriosis\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]