Endometriosis refers to the growth of the endometrial tissue outside the uterus in area like the uterus bowel, fallopian tubes, the bladder, the intestines, the pelvic cavity lining and the ovaries. The tissue lining inside the uterus is known as the endometrium and these growths are referred to as ‘endometrial implants’.
Sometimes, especially among teenagers, it is not easy to diagnose this condition right away. However, excessive painful periods limiting one’s activity are not normal and need to be taken seriously. Since severe Endometriosis may make it difficult for one to bear children in future, it is important to get immediate medical help. Though the main cause for Endometriosis is still unknown, researchers have identified some possible risk factors and causes.
Retrograde Menstruation
One of the possible risk factors states that sometimes, the endometrial tissue gets deposited in odd locations as a result of the menstrual flow backing up into the pelvic cavity and the fallopian tubes during menstruation. This condition is known as retrograde menstruation, which occurs to women in varied degrees. Retrograde menstruation, also referred to as ‘backward menstruation’, occurs when blood flows back to the fallopian tube instead of passing via the vagina. This causes the endometrial tissue to be deposited on other structures it lands on such as the ovaries where it subsequently starts grow causing Endometriosis.
Coelomic Metaplasia
Another possible cause of Endometriosis is the pelvic lining areas having primitive cells that develop into other types of tissue like endometrial cells a condition known as ‘Coelomic Metaplasia’. It is also possible that the direct endometrial tissue transfer during surgery may be the cause for Endometriosis implants that are sometimes visible in surgical scars. The endometrial cells transfer through the lymphatic system or bloodstream is a likely explanation for rare Endometriosis cases that normally occurs in the brain and other organs located away from the pelvic region.
Genetic Factors
Numerous researchers have established that the oestrogen hormone exacerbates Endometriosis. Other possible causes of Endometriosis include genetic factors and malfunction of the immune system. Another theory proposes that a malfunction in the immune system of a number of women causes Endometriosis. This occurs when the immune system cannot stop or control the endometrial tissue growth away from the uterus. Endometriosis is also thought to be genetic; some researchers believe that a number of families have faulty genes, which allow survival and growth of abnormal cells in the pelvic cavity. Some studies point out environmental factors as a contributing factor to the occurrence of Endometriosis.