Endometriosis Center

In endometriosis, the tissue that lines the mucosal mem­brane of the uterine cavity, and is normally shed by monthly menstrual bleeding, also grows as lesions outside the uterus. Endo­metrial growths occur most com­monly in the ovaries, in the form of cysts (known as choco­late cysts), and on the peri­toneum in the pelvic cavity. Endo­metriosis generally occurs in the lower abdomen, or in parti­cularly aggres­sive cases in the connec­tive tissue of the pelvis, the bladder or the rectum, but can also be found in other areas of the body (e.g. dia­phragm or lungs).

As these cells respond to the monthly cycle in the same way as the lining of the uterus, various clinical symp­toms can arise. The most typical indi­cators of endo­­are cramp-like ab­dominal pains, directly before and during menstrua­tion, or some­times also indepen­dent of the monthly cycle. In severe cases pain also occurs during sexual inter­course, when urina­ting, and during bowel move­ments.

Endometriosis is one of the most common reasons for infertility. Ovarian cysts, ad­hesions or block­ages in the fallo­pian tubes, for example, can lead to difficul­ties in con­ceiving a child. In­depen­dent of the mechanical causes, endo­metrio­sis changes the ab­dominal environ­ment to such an extent that it can be diffi­cult to establish a preg­nancy. So here too the principle applies: the earlier a correct dia­gnosis can be made (by laparo­scopy) the better the pro­gnosis!