Endometrial cells normally line the uterus (endometrium). But in endometriosis, this tissue grows outside the uterus — on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic walls or other organs. These tissues grow, thicken and bleed during the menstrual cycle but aren’t shed and can cause inflammation and scarring.
Experts think that endometriosis may be caused by several things. One theory is that hormones transform peritoneal cells — which line the inner side of your abdomen — into endometrial-like tissue. This may happen during puberty. Hormones may also transform embryonic cell — cells from your earliest stage of development — into endometrial-like tissue during early pregnancy. Lastly, endometrial-like tissue can move through your blood or lymph system and attach to surgical scars.
Symptoms of endometriosis include pelvic pain during your period that doesn’t go away. It can feel like cramping, or it might be heavier and last longer than normal. You may also have painful bowel movements and bladder movements, or heavy bleeding between periods.
Doctors diagnose endometriosis by doing a pelvic exam, examining your reproductive organs and doing imaging tests. The most common test is a laparoscopy, which involves making a small cut in your belly and inserting a thin tube with a camera on the end — called a laparoscope. This lets doctors see the areas of tissue that look like endometriosis and measure them. They may do a biopsy to get a sample of the tissue for testing.
There’s no cure for endometriosis, but treatment can improve your symptoms and fertility. Your doctor can prescribe pain medications, and hormone therapy to prevent the growth of more tissue. You might need surgery to remove the endometriosis if it causes severe pain or interferes with your fertility.
Home remedies include squeezing or popping cysts. This isn’t advised because it can aggravate the underlying condition in some people and cause cysts to enlarge or become infected. Some treatments suggest applying tea tree oil, castor oil or other oils to the cysts to help reduce their size. But talk to your doctor before trying home remedies.
Different types of health care providers treat cysts, depending on the type and severity of your symptoms and the underlying cause. An ob/gyn can diagnose and treat most cysts, but if yours are large or causing serious symptoms, you might need to visit a surgeon or other physician specialist.
Some women with mild endometriosis are able to manage their symptoms with medication and hormone therapy alone. In other cases, surgery is needed to relieve the pain and improve fertility. There are also fertility preservation and in vitro fertilization options for women who want to have children. But these treatments can be expensive. Talk to your gynecologist about whether they’re right for you. You may be able to find financial assistance. This is available through community organizations and private insurance plans. You can also try getting help through your local social service department or community health clinic. You can also talk to a therapist, who can help you deal with anxiety or depression that can be associated with endometriosis.
