WOMEN'S HEALTH

Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a gynecological condition in which endometrial tissue grows beyond the lining of a woman's uterus (the endometrium). These tissues will often cause internal bleeding on a monthly basis, leading to inflammation and scarring. Subsequent adhesions may be so severe that pelvic organs become fused together, occasionally causing a stricture of the bowel or interference with bladder function. These adhesions can make transfer of an ovum from the ovary to the fallopian tube difficult or impossible. They can also stop passage of a fertilized egg down the fallopian tube to the uterus. Endometriosis is believed to be one of the three major causes of female infertility with an estimated responsibility for 25 - 40% of all infertility cases. Some forms of endometriosis are very invasive and predispose the patient to ovarian cancer.
An estimated 15% of American women of reproductive age, 8 million, have endometriosis. The most common symptoms of endometriosis are painful periods, painful sexual intercourse, and infertility. Infertility occurs in about 30 - 40% of women with endometriosis. Additional symptoms include prolonged bleeding, painful bowel movement, painful urination, irritable bowel symptoms, and extreme tiredness.
Endometriosis displays clear genetic origins. This condition requires invasive procedures. Furthermore, a test that did not require recovery time would save the patient and employer in terms of lost wages and sick time.
Endometriosis is generally treated with surgery (400,000 hysterectomies per year are attributed to endometriosis). Existing drug therapies can relieve the pain associated with the disease, but the side-effects from the medications make them unsuitable for long-term treatment.

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