Endometriosis Alert

DR NANDITA Palshetkar, leading gynaecolgist attached to Lilavati, Bhatia and DY Patil Hospitals in Mumbai and The Fortis Group Of Hospitals, Delhi, talks about the problem of endometriosis that affects several women. The word endometriosis means a problem with the lining of the uterus. Normally, every month, when you have your period, the lining comes out in your menstrual flow. In women with this problem, tissue that looks and acts like the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus in other areas, like on or under the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the tissues that hold the uterus in place or on the bowels or bladder. When you have your period, this tissue swells and bleeds, just like the lining of your uterus. This is often painful, and scar tissue can form in your pelvic area.

Endometriosis may hurt, but it doesn’t cause cancer or affect your overall health, although it might make it harder to get pregnant.

Symptoms  

This misplaced tissue can cause pain, infertility and very heavy periods. The pain is usually in the abdomen, lower back or pelvic areas. Some women have no symptoms at all. Having trouble getting pregnant may be the first sign.