Endometriosis effects 1 in 10 women in the United States and nearly 180 million women world wide. Even so, many cases go unnoticed and untreated because the disease isn't well known. On March 25, 2017 many men and women marched around the globe to raise awareness of this disease. This march, nick named the "EndoMarch", was the fourth to ever take place in efforts to end the silence for endometriosis sufferers.

The Facts

Endometriosis is commonly known for its killer cramps, but there are other symptoms that sufferers combat as well. Such as heavy and long periods, nausea, vomiting, and urinary and bowel disorders. These symptoms are caused because tissue similiar the lining that grows on the inside of the uterus grows elsewhere in the body, typically in the lower abdomen. Endometriosis can cause cysts to form in and around the uterus filled with tissue and endometrium debris. In more severe cases endometrium can grow into your lung tissue and cause them to collapse. Endometriosis can also cause fertility problems and increase a woman's risk to get ovarian cancer.

Researchers are still unsure of an exact cause of this disease but they do know it can be passed down genetically. The disease is past to seven out of ten girls who have women in their family with a history of endometriosis. There are a few ways that it is diagnosed. Doctors may preform a pelvic exam, an ultrasound, or laparoscopy.

There's no cure but there's treatment for the symptoms. It is uncertain whether or not a hysterectomy will take away the disease. However, hormonal treatments such as the pill and hormonal IUDs have proven to lessen the symptoms and make the disease bearable. Doctors might also prescribe pain killers to those whose pain is not manageable with over the counter drugs. There's an excision surgery available to remove what is there but it will likely grow back.

Just like all others, there are many misconceptions surrounding the disease. There's no cure for the disease but there are ways to cope with it. Not everyone with the disease will have fertility problems, 20%-30% of women will be infertile. The sooner you catch the disease the better so the problem can be dealt with in the best way possible, however typical diagnosis time is ten years after the disease develops.

If you think you have endometriosis or are experiencing similar symptoms don't hesitate to seek medical advice.

To learn more about Endometriosis visit https://www.endocenter.org/about-the-erc/ and https://www.endofound.org/faq