The endometrium is the tissue that covers the uterine cavity just like a carpet where the embryo will be implanted. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue identical to the uterine wall (endometrium) is detected out of the uterus, particularly in the pelvic cavity. This tissue can develop in organs such as the ovaries, the uterus, the intestinal and pelvic walls causing inflammation and pain.
During each cycle, when an egg is not fertilized and no implantation or pregnancy occur, the inner lining of the uterus is rejected by bleeding through the vaginal cavity (period or menstruation). But in case the wall outside the uterus is ruptured, blood cannot leave the body, thus creating inflammation and pain. Endometriosis can affect women physically, socially and also mentally. The most common symptoms are dysmenorrhea and painful ovulation, abnormal bleeding, pain during or after sexual intercourse, abdominal pain, fatigue and possibly infertility.
About 10% of women in childbearing age present endometriosis symptoms and a 30-40% of them may never be able to have children. Moreover, 50% of infertile women suffer from endometriosis. At present there is no known cure for endometriosis and the diagnosis becomes laparoscopically. It is noteworthy that once you start experiencing the first symptoms, it takes an average of 8.5 years until the full diagnosis.
Adenomyosis is a pathological condition where endometrial tissue penetrates the wall of the uterus. It occurs in women of reproductive age and is a benign disease. Sometimes there are symptoms such as pain in the period (dysmenorrhea), increase blood flow during period and also increased uterine size. Various theories have been put forward regarding adenomyosis such as genetic factors associated with the uterine development of the fetus during the first months of pregnancy.
