Endometriosis is a disease characterized by growth of tissue that normally lines the uterus, in other parts of the body. “Endo” means “inside,” while “metrium” refers to the uterus. The areas affected by endometriosis include the ovaries, the fallopian tubes, behind the uterus, the tissues which hold the uterus in place, and the bowels or bladder. The tissue that develops is often referred to as implants, nodules, or lesions. Endometriosis is a painful condition that may have severe consequences, but it can be treated.
According to an article published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), “Because some women might have endometriosis, but do not have symptoms, it is difficult to know exactly how many women have the condition. Current estimates suggest that 6% to 10% of women of reproductive age have endometriosis, or approximately 5 million women in the United States. In 2011, the NICHD-led Endometriosis: Natural History, Diagnosis, and Outcomes study found that 11% of a group of women with no symptoms of endometriosis actually had the disorder.”