Endometriosis is a dangerous disease experienced by many women. The symptoms vary from woman to woman, but some common ones are painful, heavy, or irregular periods, fatigue, vomiting, stomach problems, infertility, and pelvic pain.

The most common symptom is pelvic pain. Many women ignore this pain because they think it is simply period pain. This pain usually appears around the normal time of the period, which makes it more difficult to notice. Another problem is the fact that some women actually dont feel this pain at all. Only those that feel this pelvic pain at a time other than the normal period notice it and go to a doctor. The disease sometimes causes pain during sexual intercourse, most of the times before and after a period. Endometriosis can cause swelling of the lower abdomen and bloody stool during the period or when going to the toilet.

This disease can be treated in several different ways, depending on the level it reached. Pain management and surgery are two of the most common treatments. Pharmaceutical treatments include hormonal treatment using GnRH agonists and danazol (drugs that can cause chemical menopause) and birth control pills that shrink endometriosis lesions by stopping ovulation. Unfortunately, the disease can recur after patients stop using hormone therapy.

The most common method of treatment is laparoscopic surgery. The foreign tissue can be removed and organs that may be damaged can be reconstructed and this method can also solve the problem of infertility. In some more severe cases a laparotomy can be used and in even fewer, more serious cases, a hysterectomy may be required. This involves the removal of the uterus and ovaries and leads to surgical menopause. It is very important that women understand what surgery treatments involve before choosing what to do.

Other treatments that have worked include nerve blocks, acupuncture, herbal remedies, aromatherapy, dietary modifications, vitamins, immunotherapy, and others. It is vital to be cautious and informed before deciding what to do.