SJP Nutrition

Endometriosis is a common chronic inflammatory disease associated with pelvic pain and infertility.

 

Endometriosis presents a wide range of symptoms and pain from endometriosis is often in the areas it has invaded. Endometriosis symptoms can include pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea (painful periods), deep dyspareunia (painful intercourse), as well as problems with fertility.

 

Endometriosis lesions can be found anywhere inside and outside of the pelvic cavity. It is most commonly found implanted on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, pelvic floor, peritoneum, uterosacral ligaments, the pelvic cul-de-sac, the Pouch of Douglas, and the rectal-vaginal septum. Less commonly, it can be found on the bladder, colon, appendix and rectum. In more rare cases, endometriosis implants have been found inside the vagina, inside the bladder, on the skin, in the nose, lungs, spine and brain.

 

Endometriosis implants create lesions, cysts, adhesions, inflammation and scaring on the affected areas. The implants are hormonally stimulated, which means that each month when you get your period these lesions are also bleeding. This blood has no way to leave the body, so it has to be absorbed by the surrounding tissue and 'cleaned up' by the immune system.

 

This sets off a cycle of inflammation and pain. The endometriosis lesions bleeding, and the subsequent inflammation, are key factors in scaring and adhesions forming. Adhesions also cause a lot of pain as they can 'glue' areas together, causing tension and pulling on nerves. In some cases, adhesions have been found to such an extent throughout the pelvis that it creates a 'frozen' or 'fixed' pelvis, which can lead to chronic pelvic pain.