Endometreosis

Endometriosis is a terrible disease. It affects many women, as you said. I have suffered from it a few times, and it caused severe pain, and other symptoms. I was very fortunate to still be able to have children. I have 5. I dont know if i had it before my 1st child, but i had other gyny problems. I lost an ovary 3 years before her, so i wasnt even sure if i would ever have kids. I have had it during the time of having my other 4 kids, which spanned over 7 years. But i finally had to have a hysterectomy, due to this and other gyny problems. I always wonder if it caused my other problems. I also know that having a hysterectomy doesnt always stop it, as it attaches to other organs. I know of people who cant have kids because of it, which is terrible, and i have a niece who has it and she has had trouble since she first started her period. Hopefully one day they will find something that will help get rid of it.

Endometriosis is not caused by retrograde menses ("backflow menstruation) - many women have backflow but only some develop Endo. Researchers remain unsure as to the exact causes of Endo, but recent studies indicate that genetics, immune system dysfunction, and exposure to environmental toxins like Dioxin may be contributing factors to the development of the disease. There is NO CURE for Endometriosis, including hysterectomy. Endometriosis implants produce their own estrogen synthesizing enzyme, called Aromatase, which allow it to thrive despite medically suppressed hormones or following hysterectomy. There are treatments, however, they remain extremely limited and often carry significant side effects. The best treatment is believed to be surgical excision of all disease from all locations - this is different from the typical ablation or vaporization that most gyn surgeons perform, which offer very little - and temporary - relief. See www.centerforendo.com and www.endometriosistreatment.org for a complete and detailed look at excision surgery.

I evidently was not afflicted with endometriosis in my early childbearing years, as I had absolutely no trouble conceiving. I did have it in my premenopausal years though, but had no symptoms. I found myself needing a hysterectomy due to another condition, and when the surgeon went in, they found I had severe endometriosis. So bad that it took and additional hour and a half beyond the normal time for my hysterectomy.I never cramped. I never had any thing that would point to this condition.

A girl I used to work with suffered with Endometreosis, and she suffered such terrible pain. She was often off work for days because of it, and has been told she will probably never have children because of it.

Thank Goodness I'm free of this problem, doesn't sound like much fun to me. The human body is an amazing thing and it's also amazing at how much can go wrong at times. If you suffer from this I hope you can get help with it. Take Time to Take Care of youreslf.

I know several friends who have this awful condition to quite a severe degree and it is awful for them! A young friend of mine has been diagnosed with this lately after 2 years of being told she had a grumbling appendix! She is only 15 and it had been hard for her to cope with this news but it is important to hold on to hope - it does not neccesarily mean you will be infertile - it depends on the severity of the condition! Thank you for highlighting this problem Kathy! xxx

This is an awesome posting. I rated you a + once again for it. I had endometriosis. In my time, they did not recognize it, said it was normal. I suffered with it monthly, and in between the month with ovolation from 12 years to 30 years old. It ruled my life. I was out of school and work the first two days monthly. It was horrible pain, and I could not stand up. I'd sit in a tub of warm water to try to ease the stomach and back pains. I ended up with a total hysterectomy at 30. It was inside my tubes, overies, and appendix. It is a terrible disease.

My sister has this and had dicciculty concieving but she did on her own finally after 2 years and has a 2 year old son now. So as bad as this sounds, children can still be created.