Endometriosis is a gynecologic condition in which tissue that normally exists inside the uterus, grows outside the uterus. Healthy pelvic tissue surrounding the transplanted endometriosis cells become irritated, inflamed, and eventually causes scarring leading to pelvic pain and infertility.
The exact cause of endometriosis is unknown.
Most women with endometriosis do not have symptoms. The most common symptoms of endometriosis are pelvic pain and infertility.
Endometriosis can be suspected based on symptoms of pelvic pain and findings during physical examination. The definitive diagnosis of endometriosis requires a laparoscopy (outpatient procedure looking inside the pelvis).
The management of endometriosis is either medical or surgical depending on the severity of the symptoms and the desire to conceive.
Treatment options for infertility due to endometriosis are varied. Surgical treatments are superior to medical treatments, but sometimes assisted reproduction, such as IVF, are preferable.