Endometriosis is a common cause of painful periods, infertility and other painful symptoms. What is endometriosis? The uterus is lined with a special type of tissue called endometrium. This is the tissue that is built up each month to provide a place for the developing embryo to implant if pregnancy occurs. When this lining grows in places outside the uterus, it can cause a whole host of symptoms.

Endometriosis is often quite painful. The endometrial tissue can grow on the other organs in the body, causing scar tissue to develop. This scar tissue can cause adhesions - fibrous scar tissue - to develop on the uterus and other organs. This can cause the ovaries, fallopian tubes, intestines or other organs to adhere to the uterus, which can lead to infertility.

The fallopian tubes need to be clear of scar tissue to work effectively. The fallopian tubes need to be able to move within the abdomen to "gather" the released egg each month. Each fallopian tube ends near the corresponding ovary in a structure called the fimbria. This is the part that looks kind of like tiny fingers reaching towards the ovary. The fimbria gently sweeps across the ovary and gathers the released egg. If there is scar tissue preventing this movement, it can interfere with fertility.

For some women the pain of endometriosis is nearly constant. For others it is only painful around the time of their period. Blood is a irritant when it is released in the abdomen, so if the endometrial tissue is producing blood (as it properly does in the uterus) then it can cause pain.

Symptoms of endometriosis include:

* Painful periods
* Low back pain and thigh and leg pain
* Ovulation pain
* Nausea and lethargy
* Pre-menstrual tension
* Bowel symptoms (constipation or diahrrea)
* Infertility
* Painful intercourse

It is important to see your doctor if you think you may have endometriosis. Treatment can prevent future problems and help reduce pain.

While an ultrasound can assist in diagnosis of some cases of endometriosis, it is more commonly diagnosed with a pelvic laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a small camera that is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision near the belly button. This allows the doctor to look for the familiar chocolate brown spots and scar tissue associated with endometriosis.

Treatment options include drugs and surgery. Your doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives or hormones to slow the growth of the endometrial tissue. You may be prescribed anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofin to help relieve the pain. In severe cases you may be offered prescription pain killers.

Surgery is the most common treatment. The surgeon may remove adhesions, cysts or endometrial tissue. Often the surgery is performed during the initial diagnostic laporoscopy.

In rare cases hysterectomy is the answer. If your doctor suggest hysterectomy, I would recommend getting a second opinion. There are many treatment options that are less permanent and invasive than hysterectomy.

Massage, herbs, acupuncture or Traditional Chinese Medicine, homeopathy, nutritional intervention, and yoga are some of the natural treatments that may be effective. It is worth exploring natural treatments for endometriosis as many women have found them to be very helpful.