Are You at Risk of Endometriosis?

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a female medical condition caused by the abnormal growth of endometrial tissue, the inner lining of a female’s uterus

Endometriosis is the abnormal growth of cells (endometrial cells) similar to those that form the inside or lining the tissue of the uterus, but in a location outside of the uterus.

Endometrial cells are the lining cells of the uterus and are cells that are shed each month during menstruation.

Endometriosis occurs when cells like the lining of the uterus grow in or on tissues outside the uterus; these areas are called endometriosis implants.

These implants are most commonly found on the ovaries, the Fallopian tubes, outer surfaces of the uterus or intestines, and on the surface lining of the pelvic cavity.

They can also be found in the vagina, cervix, and bladder, although less commonly than other locations in the pelvis.

Rarely, endometriosis implants can occur outside the pelvis, on the liver, in old surgery scars, and even in or around the lung or brain.

Endometrial implants (fragments of endometrial mucosa implanted on pelvic structure), while they can cause problems, are benign (not cancerous).

So who is at Risk of endometriosis?

Several factors put you at higher risk of developing endometriosis, such as:
•Never giving birth
•One or more relatives (mother, aunt or sister) with endometriosis
•Any medical condition that prevents the normal passage of menstrual flow out of the body (this can include taking the contraceptive pill)
•History of pelvic infection
•Uterine abnormalities

Endometriosis usually develops some years after the onset of menstruation, however it has been found to occur in girls as young as 11 years of age.

Signs and symptoms of endometriosis end temporarily with pregnancy and end permanently with menopause, unless you're taking estrogen.

Possible Causes of endometriosis

It is not exactly certain what the cause of endometriosis is, some possible explanations include:
•Retrograde menstruation. This is the most likely explanation for endometriosis. In retrograde menstruation, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity instead of out of the body. These displaced endometrial cells stick to the pelvic walls and surfaces of pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed over the course of each menstrual cycle.
•Embryonic cell growth. The cells lining the abdominal and pelvic cavities come from embryonic cells. When one or more small areas of the abdominal lining turn into endometrial tissue, endometriosis can develop.
•Surgical scar implantation. After a surgery, such as a hysterectomy or C-section, endometrial cells may attach to a surgical incision.
•Endometrial cells transport. The blood vessels or tissue fluid (lymphatic) system may transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
•Immune system disorder. It's possible that a problem with the immune system may make the body unable to recognize and destroy endometrial tissue that's growing outside the uterus. It can be inadequate development also of the immune system during the formative years of growing up.
•Inadequate nutrition during childhood and adolescent years
•Shock or Trauma This could be the result of an accident, attack or rape, as a as we know stress can be the baseline cause for many abnormalities of health

Can Endometriosis be prevented

As the actual causes of endometriosis are still uncertain, research has found that falling pregnant before the age of 30 will diminish your chances. It has also been found that regular exercise and a diet including a wide selection of vegetables and fruit from young age helps in the preventing the development of this condition.

Endometriosis cannot be prevented because many of the causes of the condition are still unknown. However, researchers have found that early pregnancy helps to diminish your chances of endometriosis. They have also found that regular exercise from a young age helps to prevent the development of this condition. It appears to occur less in woman who follow healthy lifestyles -

That is following implementing a healthy diet, regular exercise and not engaging in habits that are harmful such as smoking, drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and the taking of illegal drugs or excessive consumption of over the counter medications such as painkillers etc. By following these simple strategies it will help to maintain healthy hormone function.

Empowering You to Optimal Health Julie Doherty N.D